Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN) 10-Q 27 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 22, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'PTEN	'
Entity Registrant Name	'PATTERSON UTI ENERGY INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000889900	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	146,412,860

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_BALANCE

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$38,594	$249,509
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,665 and $3,674 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	593,373	451,517
Inventory	29,162	21,248
Deferred tax assets, net	32,322	32,952
Other	54,645	53,424
Total current assets	748,096	808,650
Property and equipment, net	3,907,331	3,635,541
Goodwill and intangible assets	180,223	167,470
Deposits on equipment purchases	112,288	52,560
Other	20,411	22,906
Total assets	4,968,349	4,687,127
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	370,127	173,150
Federal and state income taxes payable	24,378	10,670
Accrued expenses	182,944	160,457
Current portion of long-term debt	10,000	10,000
Total current liabilities	587,449	354,277
Long-term debt	675,000	682,500
Deferred tax liabilities, net	836,404	887,864
Other	10,036	6,489
Total liabilities	2,108,889	1,931,130
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 9)	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $.01; authorized 1,000,000 shares, no shares issued	'	'
Common stock, par value $.01; authorized 300,000,000 shares with 189,233,429 and 186,487,246 issued and 146,414,844 and 144,219,189 outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	1,892	1,865
Additional paid-in capital	977,425	913,505
Retained earnings	2,768,868	2,707,439
Accumulated other comprehensive income	10,310	14,076
Treasury stock, at cost, 42,818,585 shares and 42,268,057 shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	-899,035	-880,888
Total stockholders' equity	2,859,460	2,755,997
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$4,968,349	$4,687,127

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_BALANCE1

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (PARENTHETICAL) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$3,665	$3,674
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, issued	189,233,429	186,487,246
Common stock, outstanding	146,414,844	144,219,189
Treasury stock, shares	42,818,585	42,268,057

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_STATEME

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Operating revenues:	'		'		'		'
Oil and natural gas	$14,724		$13,827		$38,844		$45,329
Total operating revenues	845,628		730,907		2,281,072		2,057,262
Operating costs and expenses:	'		'		'		'
Contract drilling	278,195		239,768		784,572		729,588
Pressure pumping	281,016		204,050		722,801		560,486
Oil and natural gas	3,275		3,602		9,421		9,738
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment	237,825		140,734		538,573		414,351
Selling, general and administrative	18,896		19,580		58,117		55,296
Net gain on asset disposals	-3,870	[1]	-1,378	[1]	-8,705	[1]	-2,286	[1]
Total operating costs and expenses	815,337		606,356		2,104,779		1,767,173
Operating income	30,291		124,551		176,293		290,089
Other income (expense):	'		'		'		'
Interest income	234		293		618		716
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized	-6,993		-7,503		-21,430		-21,210
Other	0		380		3		780
Total other expense	-6,759		-6,830		-20,809		-19,714
Income before income taxes	23,532		117,721		155,484		270,375
Income tax expense (benefit):	'		'		'		'
Current	48,618		25,916		101,233		35,824
Deferred	-41,062		17,385		-50,830		63,133
Total income tax expense	7,556		43,301		50,403		98,957
Net income	15,976		74,420		105,081		171,418
Net income per common share:	'		'		'		'
Basic	$0.11		$0.51		$0.72		$1.17
Diluted	$0.11		$0.51		$0.71		$1.16
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:	'		'		'		'
Basic	144,798		144,446		143,778		144,915
Diluted	146,991		145,432		146,101		145,840
Cash dividends per common share	$0.10		$0.05		$0.30		$0.15
Contract Drilling	'		'		'		'
Operating revenues:	'		'		'		'
Oil and gas services	482,212		457,871		1,346,698		1,266,944
Pressure Pumping	'		'		'		'
Operating revenues:	'		'		'		'
Oil and gas services	$348,692		$259,209		$895,530		$744,989
[1]	Net gains or losses associated with the disposal of assets relate to corporate strategy decisions of the executive management group. Accordingly, the related gains or losses have been separately presented and excluded from the results of specific segments.

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_STATEME1

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$15,976	$74,420	$105,081	$171,418
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes of $0 for all periods:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-4,899	2,383	-3,766	-3,668
Total comprehensive income	$11,077	$76,803	$101,315	$167,750

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_STATEME2

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), taxes	$0	$0	$0	$0

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_STATEME3

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Treasury Stock
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$2,755,997	$1,865	$913,505	$2,707,439	$14,076	($880,888)
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	186,487,246	186,487,000	'	'	'	'
Net income	105,081	'	'	105,081	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-3,766	'	'	'	-3,766	'
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)	'	1,067,000	'	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock	'	11	-11	'	'	'
Vesting of stock unit awards	'	10,000	'	'	'	'
Forfeitures of restricted stock (in shares)	'	-46,000	'	'	'	'
Forfeitures of restricted stock	'	-1	1	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	1,715,195	1,715,000	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	35,320	17	35,303	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	19,945	'	19,945	'	'	'
Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation	8,682	'	8,682	'	'	'
Payment of cash dividends	-43,652	'	'	-43,652	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	-18,147	'	'	'	'	-18,147
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$2,859,460	$1,892	$977,425	$2,768,868	$10,310	($899,035)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	189,233,429	189,223,000	'	'	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_STATEME4

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'
Net income	$105,081		$171,418
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'		'
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment	538,573		414,351
Dry holes and abandonments	337		54
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	-50,830		63,133
Stock-based compensation expense	19,945		19,028
Net gain on asset disposals	-8,705	[1]	-2,286	[1]
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'		'
Accounts receivable	-143,039		-23,662
Income taxes payable	13,701		-5,586
Inventory and other assets	-6,419		3,090
Accounts payable	71,865		22,207
Accrued expenses	22,414		-4,895
Other liabilities	3,410		-152
Net cash provided by operating activities	566,333		656,700
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'
Purchases of property and equipment and acquisitions	-773,791		-483,284
Proceeds from disposal of assets	22,499		8,282
Net cash used in investing activities	-751,292		-475,002
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'
Purchases of treasury stock	-13,554		-73,406
Dividends paid	-43,652		-21,904
Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation	8,682		4,791
Repayment of long-term debt	-7,500		-3,750
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	30,726		6,959
Net cash used in financing activities	-25,298		-87,310
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	-658		-475
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-210,915		93,913
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	249,509		110,723
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	38,594		204,636
Net cash paid during the period for:	'		'
Interest, net of capitalized interest of $5,268 in 2014 and $6,016 in 2013	-13,678		-12,703
Income taxes	-74,252		-31,361
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing information:	'		'
Net increase (decrease) in current liabilities for purchases of property and equipment	125,271		-29,818
Net (increase) decrease in deposits on equipment purchases	($59,728)		$2,749
[1]	Net gains or losses associated with the disposal of assets relate to corporate strategy decisions of the executive management group. Accordingly, the related gains or losses have been separately presented and excluded from the results of specific segments.

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_STATEME5

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract]	'	'
Interest expense, capitalized interest	$5,268	$6,016

Basis_of_Consolidation_and_Pre

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation	'
	1. Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
	The unaudited interim consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Except for wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Company has no controlling financial interests in any entity which would require consolidation.
	The unaudited interim consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared by management of the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes the disclosures included either on the face of the financial statements or herein are sufficient to make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature considered necessary for a fair statement of the information in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been included. The Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013, as presented herein, was derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
	The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for all of the Company’s operations except for its Canadian operations, which uses the Canadian dollar as its functional currency. The effects of exchange rate changes are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income, which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
	The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value.
	The Company provides a dual presentation of its net income per common share in its unaudited consolidated condensed statements of operations: Basic net income per common share (“Basic EPS”) and diluted net income per common share (“Diluted EPS”).
	Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by first allocating earnings between common stockholders and holders of non-vested shares of restricted stock. Basic EPS is then determined by dividing the earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding non-vested shares of restricted stock.
	Diluted EPS is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of potential common shares, including stock options, non-vested shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units. The dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units is determined using the treasury stock method. The dilutive effect of non-vested shares of restricted stock is based on the more dilutive of the treasury stock method or the two-class method, assuming a reallocation of undistributed earnings to common stockholders after considering the dilutive effect of potential common shares other than non-vested shares of restricted stock.
	The following table presents information necessary to calculate net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 as well as potentially dilutive securities excluded from the weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	BASIC EPS:
	Net income	$	15,976		$	74,420		$	105,081		$	171,418
	Adjust for income attributed to holders of non-vested		(160	)		(808	)		(1,074	)		(1,660	)
	restricted stock
	Income attributed to common stockholders	$	15,816		$	73,612		$	104,007		$	169,758
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding,		144,798			144,446			143,778			144,915
	excluding non-vested shares of restricted stock
	Basic net income per common share	$	0.11		$	0.51		$	0.72		$	1.17
	DILUTED EPS:
	Income attributed to common stockholders	$	15,816		$	73,612		$	104,007		$	169,758
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding,		144,798			144,446			143,778			144,915
	excluding non-vested shares of restricted stock
	Add dilutive effect of potential common shares		2,193			986			2,323			925
	Weighted average number of diluted common shares		146,991			145,432			146,101			145,840
	outstanding
	Diluted net income per common share	$	0.11		$	0.51		$	0.71		$	1.16
	Potentially dilutive securities excluded as anti-dilutive		442			2,897			473			4,043

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based Compensation	'
	2. Stock-based Compensation
	The Company uses share-based payments to compensate employees and non-employee directors. The Company recognizes the cost of share-based payments under the fair-value-based method. Share-based awards consist of equity instruments in the form of stock options, restricted stock or restricted stock units and have included service and, in certain cases, performance conditions. The Company’s share-based awards have also included both cash-settled and share-settled performance unit awards. Cash-settled performance unit awards are accounted for as liability awards. Share-settled performance unit awards are accounted for as equity awards. The Company issues shares of common stock when vested stock options are exercised, when restricted stock is granted and when restricted stock units and share-settled performance unit awards vest.
	On February 21, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders. In addition, on the same date, the Board of Directors approved, subject to and effective upon the approval by the stockholders of the 2014 Plan, the termination of any future grants under all existing equity plans of the Company. On April 17, 2014, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2014 Plan. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock authorized for grant under the 2014 Plan is 9,100,000, reduced by the number of shares that were subject to awards granted under existing equity plans of the Company during the period commencing on January 1, 2014 and ending on the date the 2014 Plan was approved by the stockholders.
	Stock Options — The Company estimates the grant date fair values of stock options using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model. Volatility assumptions are based on the historic volatility of the Company’s common stock over the most recent period equal to the expected term of the options as of the date the options are granted. The expected term assumptions are based on the Company’s experience with respect to employee stock option activity. Dividend yield assumptions are based on the expected dividends at the time the options are granted. The risk-free interest rate assumptions are determined by reference to United States Treasury yields. Weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the grant date fair values for stock options granted for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 follow:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014				2013
	Volatility		35.64	%	NA			35.89	%			41.36	%
	Expected term (in years)		5		NA			5				5
	Dividend yield		1.18	%	NA			1.17	%			0.89	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.62	%	NA			1.76	%			0.7	%
	Stock option activity from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 follows:
					Weighted
					Average
		Underlying			Exercise
		Shares			Price
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014		7,319,695		$	21.23
	Granted		491,750		$	32.32
	Exercised		(1,715,195	)	$	20.59
	Cancelled		—		$	—
	Expired		—		$	—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014		6,096,250		$	22.3
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014		5,117,764		$	21.48
	Restricted Stock — For all restricted stock awards to date, shares of common stock were issued when the awards were made. Non-vested shares are subject to forfeiture for failure to fulfill service conditions and, in certain cases, performance conditions. Non-forfeitable dividends are paid on non-vested shares of restricted stock. The Company uses the straight-line method to recognize periodic compensation cost over the vesting period.
	Restricted stock activity from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 follows:
					Weighted
					Average
					Grant Date
		Shares			Fair Value
	Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at January 1, 2014		1,496,692		$	20.84
	Granted		778,100		$	33.4
	Vested		(713,210	)	$	21.75
	Forfeited		(45,616	)	$	23.43
	Non-vested restricted stock outstanding September 30, 2014		1,515,966		$	26.79
	Restricted Stock Units — For all restricted stock unit awards made to date, shares of common stock are not issued until the units vest. Restricted stock units are subject to forfeiture for failure to fulfill service conditions. Non-forfeitable cash dividend equivalents are paid on certain non-vested restricted stock units. The Company uses the straight-line method to recognize periodic compensation cost over the vesting period.
	Restricted stock unit activity from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 follows:
					Weighted
					Average
					Grant Date
		Shares			Fair Value
	Non-vested restricted stock units outstanding at January 1, 2014		20,256		$	20.67
	Granted		21,550		$	34.67
	Vested		(9,754	)	$	22.13
	Forfeited		(667	)	$	21.09
	Non-vested restricted stock units outstanding September 30, 2014		31,385		$	29.82
	Performance Unit Awards — In 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 the Company granted stock-settled performance unit awards to certain executive officers (the “Stock-Settled Performance Units”). The Stock-Settled Performance Units provide for the recipients to receive a grant of shares of stock upon the achievement of certain performance goals established by the Compensation Committee during the performance period. The performance period for the Stock-Settled Performance Units is the three year period commencing on April 1 of the year of grant. For the 2012 and 2013 Stock-Settled Performance Units, the performance period can extend for an additional two years in certain circumstances. The performance goals for the Stock-Settled Performance Units are tied to the Company’s total shareholder return for the performance period as compared to total shareholder return for a peer group determined by the Compensation Committee. These goals are considered to be market conditions under the relevant accounting standards and the market conditions were factored into the determination of the fair value of the performance units. Generally, the recipients will receive a target number of shares if the Company’s total shareholder return is positive and, when compared to the peer group, is at the 50th percentile and two times the target if at the 75th percentile or higher. If the Company’s total shareholder return is positive, and, when compared to the peer group, is at the 25th percentile, the recipients will only receive one-half of the target number of shares. The grant of shares when achievement is between the 25th and 75th percentile will be determined on a pro-rata basis. The target number of shares with respect to the 2011 Stock-Settled Performance Units was 144,375. The performance period for the 2011 Stock-Settled Performance Units ended on March 31, 2014, and the Company’s total shareholder return was at the 94th percentile. In April 2014, 288,750 shares were issued to settle the 2011 Stock-Settled Performance Units.
	The total target number of shares with respect to the Stock-Settled Performance Units is set forth below:
		2014			2013				2012				2011
		Performance			Performance				Performance				Performance
		Unit Awards			Unit Awards				Unit Awards				Unit Awards
	Target number of shares		154,000			236,500				192,000				144,375
	Because the Stock-Settled Performance Units are stock-settled awards, they are accounted for as equity awards and measured at fair value on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The fair value of the Stock-Settled Performance Units is set forth below (in thousands):
		2014			2013				2012				2011
		Performance			Performance				Performance				Performance
		Unit Awards			Unit Awards				Unit Awards				Unit Awards
	Fair value at date of grant	$	5,388		$	5,564			$	3,065			$	5,569
	These fair value amounts are charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the performance period. Compensation expense associated with the Stock-Settled Performance Units is shown below (in thousands):
		2014			2013				2012				2011
		Performance			Performance				Performance				Performance
		Unit Awards			Unit Awards				Unit Awards				Unit Awards
	Three months ended September 30, 2013	NA			$	464			$	255			$	464
	Three months ended September 30, 2014	$	449		$	464			$	255			NA
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013	NA			$	927			$	766			$	1,392
Nine months ended September 30, 2014	$	898		$	1,391			$	766			$	464

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	3. Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consisted of the following at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Equipment	$	6,361,452		$	5,749,975
	Oil and natural gas properties		207,340			183,571
	Buildings		83,230			80,050
	Land		12,046			12,054
			6,664,068			6,025,650
	Less accumulated depreciation and depletion		(2,756,737	)		(2,390,109	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	3,907,331		$	3,635,541
	During the period ended September 30, 2014, in connection with its ongoing planning process, the Company evaluated its fleet of marketable drilling rigs and identified 55 mechanical rigs that it determined would no longer be marketed. The Company’s consolidated statements of operations includes a charge of $77.9 million related to the Company’s mechanically powered rig fleet.  This charge reflects the retirement of the 55 mechanical drilling rigs and the write-off of excess spare components for the now reduced size of the Company’s mechanical rig fleet.

Business_Segments

Business Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segments	'
	4. Business Segments
	The Company’s revenues, operating profits and identifiable assets are primarily attributable to three business segments: (i) contract drilling of oil and natural gas wells, (ii) pressure pumping services and (iii) the investment, on a non-operating working interest basis, in oil and natural gas properties. Each of these segments represents a distinct type of business. These segments have separate management teams which report to the Company’s chief operating decision maker. The results of operations in these segments are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of determining resource allocation and assessing performance. Separate financial data for each of our business segments is provided in the table below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues:
	Contract drilling	$	483,307		$	459,213		$	1,350,296		$	1,270,658
	Pressure pumping		349,996			259,209			896,834			744,989
	Oil and natural gas		14,724			13,827			38,844			45,329
	Total segment revenues		848,027			732,249			2,285,974			2,060,976
	Elimination of intercompany revenues (a)		(2,399	)		(1,342	)		(4,902	)		(3,714	)
	Total revenues	$	845,628		$	730,907		$	2,281,072		$	2,057,262
	Income before income taxes:
	Contract drilling	$	12,147		$	116,253		$	148,841		$	235,871
	Pressure pumping		25,208			16,917			51,661			75,686
	Oil and natural gas		3,002			5,421			9,337			17,189
			40,357			138,591			209,839			328,746
	Corporate and other		(13,936	)		(15,418	)		(42,251	)		(40,943	)
	Net gain on asset disposals (b)		3,870			1,378			8,705			2,286
	Interest income		234			293			618			716
	Interest expense		(6,993	)		(7,503	)		(21,430	)		(21,210	)
	Other		—			380			3			780
	Income before income taxes	$	23,532		$	117,721		$	155,484		$	270,375
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Identifiable assets:
	Contract drilling	$	3,859,415		$	3,569,588
	Pressure pumping		970,327			761,199
	Oil and natural gas		67,067			58,656
	Corporate and other (c)		71,540			297,684
	Total assets	$	4,968,349		$	4,687,127
	(a)	Consists of contract drilling and, in 2014, pressure pumping intercompany revenues for services provided to the oil and natural gas exploration and production segment.
	(b)	Net gains or losses associated with the disposal of assets relate to corporate strategy decisions of the executive management group. Accordingly, the related gains or losses have been separately presented and excluded from the results of specific segments.
	(c)	Corporate and other assets primarily include cash on hand and certain deferred tax assets.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill — Goodwill by operating segment as of September 30, 2014 and changes for the nine months then ended are as follows (in thousands):
		Contract		Pressure
		Drilling		Pumping			Total
	Balance December 31, 2013	$	86,234	$	67,575		$	153,809
	Changes to goodwill	—			15,485			15,485
	Balance September 30, 2014	$	86,234	$	83,060		$	169,294
	There were no accumulated impairment losses as of September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
	Goodwill is evaluated at least annually on December 31, or when circumstances require, to determine if the fair value of recorded goodwill has decreased below its carrying value. For purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level. The Company’s reporting units for impairment testing have been determined to be its operating segments. The Company first determines whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value after considering qualitative, market and other factors. If so, then goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step impairment test. From time to time, the Company may perform the first step of the quantitative testing for goodwill impairment in lieu of performing the qualitative assessment. The first step is to compare the fair value of an entity’s reporting units to the respective carrying value of those reporting units. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the impairment test is performed whereby the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to its identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities with any remaining fair value representing the fair value of goodwill. If this resulting fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment loss would be recognized in the amount of the shortfall.
	Intangible Assets — Intangible assets were recorded in the pressure pumping operating segment in connection with the fourth quarter 2010 acquisition of the assets of a pressure pumping business. As a result of the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded intangible assets related to the customer relationships acquired and a non-compete agreement. These intangible assets were recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition.
	The value of the customer relationships was estimated using a multi-period excess earnings model to determine the present value of the projected cash flows associated with the customers in place at the time of the acquisition and taking into account a contributory asset charge. The resulting intangible asset is being amortized on a straight-line basis over seven years. Amortization expense of approximately $911,000 was recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and amortization expense of approximately $2.7 million was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 associated with customer relationships.
	The following table presents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the customer relationships as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		30-Sep-14							31-Dec-13
		Gross					Net		Gross					Net
		Carrying		Accumulated			Carrying		Carrying		Accumulated			Carrying
		Amount		Amortization			Amount		Amount		Amortization			Amount
	Customer relationships	$	25,500	$	(14,571	)	$	10,929	$	25,500	$	(11,839	)	$	13,661
	The non-compete agreement had a term of three years from October 1, 2010. The value of this agreement was estimated using a with and without scenario where cash flows were projected through the term of the agreement assuming this agreement was in place and compared to cash flows assuming the non-compete agreement was not in place. The intangible asset associated with the non-compete agreement was amortized on a straight-line basis over the three-year term of the agreement and was fully amortized by September 30, 2013. Amortization expense of approximately $117,000 was recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and amortization expense of approximately $350,000 was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 associated with the non-compete agreement.

Accrued_Expenses

Accrued Expenses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses	'
	6. Accrued Expenses
	Accrued expenses consisted of the following at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Salaries, wages, payroll taxes and benefits	$	53,329	$	45,836
	Workers' compensation liability		77,773		74,975
	Property, sales, use and other taxes		14,754		12,367
	Insurance, other than workers' compensation		11,177		10,129
	Accrued interest payable		13,713		7,604
	Other		12,198		9,546
		$	182,944	$	160,457

Asset_Retirement_Obligation

Asset Retirement Obligation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Asset Retirement Obligation	'
	7. Asset Retirement Obligation
	The Company records a liability for the estimated costs to be incurred in connection with the abandonment of oil and natural gas properties in the future. This liability is included in the caption “other” in the liabilities section of the consolidated condensed balance sheet. The following table describes the changes to the Company’s asset retirement obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	4,837		$	4,422
	Liabilities incurred		411			276
	Liabilities settled		(68	)		(119	)
	Accretion expense		126			124
	Revision in estimated costs of plugging oil and natural gas wells		19		—
	Asset retirement obligation at end of period	$	5,325		$	4,703

Long_Term_Debt

Long Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long Term Debt	'
	8. Long Term Debt
	Credit Facilities — On September 27, 2012, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, letter of credit issuer, swing line lender and lender, and each of the other lenders party thereto. The Credit Agreement is a committed senior unsecured credit facility that includes a revolving credit facility and a term loan facility.
	The revolving credit facility permits aggregate borrowings of up to $500 million outstanding at any time. The revolving credit facility contains a letter of credit facility that is limited to $150 million and a swing line facility that is limited to $40 million, in each case outstanding at any time.
	The term loan facility provides for a loan of $100 million, which was drawn on December 24, 2012. The term loan facility is payable in quarterly principal installments, which commenced December 27, 2012. The installment amounts vary from 1.25% of the original principal amount for each of the first four quarterly installments, 2.50% of the original principal amount for each of the subsequent eight quarterly installments, 5.00% of the original principal amount for the subsequent four quarterly installments and 13.75% of the original principal amount for the final four quarterly installments.
	Subject to customary conditions, the Company may request that the lenders’ aggregate commitments with respect to the revolving credit facility and/or the term loan facility be increased by up to $100 million, not to exceed total commitments of $700 million. The maturity date under the Credit Agreement is September 27, 2017 for both the revolving facility and the term facility.
	Loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest by reference, at the Company’s election, to the LIBOR rate or base rate, provided, that swing line loans bear interest by reference only to the base rate. The applicable margin on LIBOR rate loans varies from 2.25% to 3.25% and the applicable margin on base rate loans varies from 1.25% to 2.25%, in each case determined based upon the Company’s debt to capitalization ratio. As of September 30, 2014, the applicable margin on LIBOR rate loans was 2.25% and the applicable margin on base rate loans was 1.25%. A letter of credit fee is payable by the Company equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans times the daily amount available to be drawn under outstanding letters of credit. The commitment fee rate payable to the lenders for the unused portion of the credit facility is 0.50%.
	Each domestic subsidiary of the Company other than immaterial subsidiaries has unconditionally guaranteed all existing and future indebtedness and liabilities of the other guarantors and the Company arising under the Credit Agreement and other loan documents. Such guarantees also cover obligations of the Company and any subsidiary of the Company arising under any interest rate swap contract with any person while such person is a lender under the Credit Agreement.
	The Credit Agreement requires compliance with two financial covenants. The Company must not permit its debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 45%. The Credit Agreement generally defines the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter. The Company also must not permit the interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 3.00 to 1.00. The Credit Agreement generally defines the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for the same period. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2014. The Credit Agreement also contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants.
	Events of default under the Credit Agreement include failure to pay principal or interest when due, failure to comply with the financial and operational covenants, as well as a cross default event, loan document enforceability event, change of control event and bankruptcy and other insolvency events. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, then a majority of the lenders have the right, among others, to (i) terminate the commitments under the Credit Agreement, (ii) accelerate and require the Company to repay all the outstanding amounts owed under any loan document (provided that in limited circumstances with respect to insolvency and bankruptcy of the Company, such acceleration is automatic), and (iii) require the Company to cash collateralize any outstanding letters of credit.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $85.0 million principal amount outstanding under the term loan facility at an interest rate of 2.50% and no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility. The Company had $39.8 million in letters of credit outstanding at September 30, 2014 and, as a result, had available borrowing capacity of approximately $460 million at that date.
	Senior Notes — On October 5, 2010, the Company completed the issuance and sale of $300 million in aggregate principal amount of its 4.97% Series A Senior Notes due October 5, 2020 (the “Series A Notes”) in a private placement. The Series A Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.97% per annum. The Company will pay interest on the Series A Notes on April 5 and October 5 of each year. The Series A Notes will mature on October 5, 2020.
	On June 14, 2012, the Company completed the issuance and sale of $300 million in aggregate principal amount of its 4.27% Series B Senior Notes due June 14, 2022 (the “Series B Notes”) in a private placement. The Series B Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.27% per annum. The Company will pay interest on the Series B Notes on April 5 and October 5 of each year. The Series B Notes will mature on June 14, 2022.
	The Series A Notes and Series B Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company which rank equally in right of payment with all other unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Series A Notes and Series B Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the existing domestic subsidiaries of the Company other than immaterial subsidiaries.
	The Series A Notes and Series B Notes are prepayable at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, provided that in the case of a partial prepayment, prepayment must be in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding, at any time and from time to time at 100% of the principal amount prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the prepayment date, plus a “make-whole” premium as specified in the note purchase agreements. The Company must offer to prepay the notes upon the occurrence of any change of control. In addition, the Company must offer to prepay the notes upon the occurrence of certain asset dispositions if the proceeds therefrom are not timely reinvested in productive assets. If any offer to prepay is accepted, the purchase price of each prepaid note is 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the prepayment date.
	The respective note purchase agreements require compliance with two financial covenants. The Company must not permit its debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 50% at any time. The note purchase agreements generally define the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter. The Company also must not permit the interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 2.50 to 1.00. The note purchase agreements generally define the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of EBITDA for the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for that same period. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2014.
	Events of default under the note purchase agreements include failure to pay principal or interest when due, failure to comply with the financial and operational covenants, a cross default event, a judgment in excess of a threshold event, the guaranty agreement ceasing to be enforceable, the occurrence of certain ERISA events, a change of control event and bankruptcy and other insolvency events. If an event of default under the note purchase agreements occurs and is continuing, then holders of a majority in principal amount of the respective notes have the right to declare all the notes then-outstanding to be immediately due and payable. In addition, if the Company defaults in payments on any note, then until such defaults are cured, the holder thereof may declare all the notes held by it pursuant to the note purchase agreement to be immediately due and payable.
	Debt issuance costs are deferred and recognized as interest expense over the term of the underlying debt. Interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs was approximately $547,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and approximately $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Presented below is a schedule of the principal repayment requirements of long-term debt by fiscal year as of September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,
	2014	$	2,500
	2015		12,500
	2016		28,750
	2017		41,250
	2018	—
	Thereafter		600,000
	Total	$	685,000

Commitments_Contingencies_and_

Commitments, Contingencies and Other Matters	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments, Contingencies and Other Matters	'
	9. Commitments, Contingencies and Other Matters
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company maintained letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $39.8 million for the benefit of various insurance companies as collateral for retrospective premiums and retained losses which could become payable under the terms of the underlying insurance contracts. These letters of credit expire annually at various times during the year and are typically renewed. As of September 30, 2014, no amounts had been drawn under the letters of credit.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had commitments to purchase approximately $574 million of major equipment for its drilling and pressure pumping businesses.
	The Company’s pressure pumping business has entered into agreements to purchase minimum quantities of proppants and chemicals from certain vendors. These agreements expire in 2016, 2017 and 2018. As of September 30, 2014, the remaining obligation under these agreements was approximately $72.0 million, of which materials with a total purchase price of approximately $200,000 were required to be purchased during the remainder of 2014. In the event that the required minimum quantities are not purchased during any contract year, the Company could be required to make a liquidated damages payment to the respective vendor for any shortfall.
	In November 2011, the Company’s pressure pumping business entered into an agreement with a proppant vendor to advance up to $12.0 million to such vendor to finance the construction of certain processing facilities. This advance is secured by the underlying processing facilities and bears interest at an annual rate of 5.0%. Repayment of the advance is to be made through discounts applied to purchases from the vendor and repayment of all amounts advanced must be made no later than October 1, 2017. As of September 30, 2014, advances of approximately $11.8 million had been made under this agreement and principal repayments of approximately $6.9 million had been received resulting in a balance outstanding of approximately $4.9 million.
	In May 2013, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission notified the Company of cause findings related to certain of its employment practices. The cause findings relate to allegations that the Company tolerated a hostile work environment for employees based on national origin and race. The cause findings also allege, among other things, failure to promote, subjecting employees to adverse employment terms and conditions and retaliation. The Company and the EEOC engaged in the statutory conciliation process. In March 2014, the EEOC notified us that this matter will be forwarded to its legal unit for litigation review. The Company believes that litigation will ensue. The Company intends to defend itself vigorously and, based on the information available to the Company at this time, the Company does not expect the outcome of this matter to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows; however, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of this matter.
	Other than the matter described above, the Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business; the Company does not believe that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	10. Stockholders’ Equity
	Cash Dividends — The Company paid cash dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 as follows:
	2013:00:00	Per Share		Total
				(in thousands)
	Paid on March 29, 2013	$	0.05	$	7,312
	Paid on June 28, 2013		0.05		7,361
	Paid on September 30, 2013		0.05		7,231
	Total cash dividends	$	0.15	$	21,904
	2014:00:00	Per Share		Total
				(in thousands)
	Paid on March 27, 2014	$	0.1	$	14,456
	Paid on June 26, 2014		0.1		14,562
	Paid on September 24, 2014		0.1		14,634
	Total cash dividends	$	0.3	$	43,652
	On October 22, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a cash dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.10 per share to be paid on December 24, 2014 to holders of record as of December 10, 2014. The amount and timing of all future dividend payments, if any, are subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon business conditions, results of operations, financial condition, terms of the Company’s credit facilities and other factors.
	On September 6, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock buyback program that authorizes purchase of up to $200 million of the Company’s common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had remaining authorization to purchase approximately $187 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock under the stock buyback program. Shares purchased under a buyback program are accounted for as treasury stock.
	The Company acquired 536,630 shares of treasury stock from employees during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Certain of these shares were acquired to satisfy the exercise price in connection with the exercise of stock options. The remainder of these shares was acquired to satisfy payroll tax withholding obligations upon the exercise of stock options, the settlement of performance unit awards and the vesting of restricted stock. The total fair market value of these shares was approximately $17.7 million. These shares were acquired pursuant to the terms of the Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) or the 2014 Plan and not pursuant to the stock buyback program.
	Treasury stock acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		30-Sep-14
		Shares		Cost
	Treasury shares at beginning of period		42,268,057	$	880,888
	Acquisitions pursuant to long-term incentive plans		536,630		17,681
	Purchases pursuant to the 2013 buyback program		13,898		466
	Treasury shares at end of period		42,818,585	$	899,035

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	11. Income Taxes
	The Company’s effective income tax rate was 32.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to 36.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Domestic Production Activities Deduction was enacted as part of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (as revised by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008), and allows a deduction of 9% on the lesser of qualified production activities income or taxable income. The prior year Domestic Production Activities Deduction was smaller due to lower taxable income after the utilization of bonus depreciation and a federal net operating loss carryforward. In 2014, the Company does not have any remaining federal net operating loss carryforward, and bonus depreciation is currently unavailable, resulting in higher taxable income and, therefore, a larger Domestic Production Activities Deduction.

Fair_Values_of_Financial_Instr

Fair Values of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Values of Financial Instruments	'
	12. Fair Values of Financial Instruments
	The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these items. These fair value estimates are considered Level 1 fair value estimates in the fair value hierarchy of fair value accounting.
	The estimated fair value of the Company’s outstanding debt balances (including current portion) as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is set forth below (in thousands):
		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Value		Value		Value		Value
	Borrowings under credit agreement:
	Term loan facility	$	85,000	$	85,000	$	92,500	$	92,500
	4.97% Series A Senior Notes		300,000		319,834		300,000		304,293
	4.27% Series B Senior Notes		300,000		304,893		300,000		286,772
	Total debt	$	685,000	$	709,727	$	692,500	$	683,565
	The carrying values of the balances outstanding under the term loan approximate their fair values as this instrument has a floating interest rate. The fair value of the 4.97% Series A Senior Notes and the 4.27% Series B Senior Notes at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are based on discounted cash flows associated with the respective notes using current market rates of interest at those respective dates. For the 4.97% Series A Senior Notes, the current market rates used in measuring this fair value were 3.73% at September 30, 2014 and 4.52% at December 31, 2013. For the 4.27% Series B Senior Notes, the current market rates used in measuring this fair value was 4.02% at September 30, 2014 and 4.89% at December 31, 2013. These fair value estimates are based on observable market inputs and are considered Level 2 fair value estimates in the fair value hierarchy of fair value accounting.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	13. Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide guidance on the recognition of revenue from customers. Under this guidance, an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. This guidance also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of the financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty, if any, of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The requirements in this update are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide guidance on the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period is treated as a performance condition. The requirements in this update are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event	'
	14. Subsequent Event
	On October 20, 2014, a subsidiary of the Company completed the acquisition of the Texas-based pressure pumping assets of a privately held company.  This acquisition includes 148,250 horsepower of hydraulic fracturing equipment and provides the Company with two additional bases of operations and employees to support customer activity in South Texas and East Texas.  The purchase price for the transaction was paid in cash.  The Company is in the process of determining the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the results of operations of these assets will be included in the Company’s consolidated results of operations beginning in the quarter ending December 31, 2014.  Certain required disclosures related to fair value and pro forma financial information are omitted from this document due to the initial accounting being incomplete as of the filing date.
	The Company has completed two pressure pumping acquisitions this year, adding a total of approximately 180,000 horsepower to the fleet as well as three associated facilities and employees.  In total, the Company has paid $176 million for these two acquisitions plus the assumption of property leases and other contractual obligations.

Basis_of_Consolidation_and_Pre1

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share	'
	The following table presents information necessary to calculate net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 as well as potentially dilutive securities excluded from the weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	BASIC EPS:
	Net income	$	15,976		$	74,420		$	105,081		$	171,418
	Adjust for income attributed to holders of non-vested		(160	)		(808	)		(1,074	)		(1,660	)
	restricted stock
	Income attributed to common stockholders	$	15,816		$	73,612		$	104,007		$	169,758
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding,		144,798			144,446			143,778			144,915
	excluding non-vested shares of restricted stock
	Basic net income per common share	$	0.11		$	0.51		$	0.72		$	1.17
	DILUTED EPS:
	Income attributed to common stockholders	$	15,816		$	73,612		$	104,007		$	169,758
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding,		144,798			144,446			143,778			144,915
	excluding non-vested shares of restricted stock
	Add dilutive effect of potential common shares		2,193			986			2,323			925
	Weighted average number of diluted common shares		146,991			145,432			146,101			145,840
	outstanding
	Diluted net income per common share	$	0.11		$	0.51		$	0.71		$	1.16
	Potentially dilutive securities excluded as anti-dilutive		442			2,897			473			4,043

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Estimate Grant Date Fair Values for Stock Options Granted	'
	Weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the grant date fair values for stock options granted for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 follow:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014				2013
	Volatility		35.64	%	NA			35.89	%			41.36	%
	Expected term (in years)		5		NA			5				5
	Dividend yield		1.18	%	NA			1.17	%			0.89	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.62	%	NA			1.76	%			0.7	%
Stock Option Activity	'
	Stock option activity from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 follows:
					Weighted
					Average
		Underlying			Exercise
		Shares			Price
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014		7,319,695		$	21.23
	Granted		491,750		$	32.32
	Exercised		(1,715,195	)	$	20.59
	Cancelled		—		$	—
	Expired		—		$	—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014		6,096,250		$	22.3
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014		5,117,764		$	21.48
Restricted Stock Activity	'
	Restricted stock activity from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 follows:
					Weighted
					Average
					Grant Date
		Shares			Fair Value
	Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at January 1, 2014		1,496,692		$	20.84
	Granted		778,100		$	33.4
	Vested		(713,210	)	$	21.75
	Forfeited		(45,616	)	$	23.43
	Non-vested restricted stock outstanding September 30, 2014		1,515,966		$	26.79
Restricted Stock Unit Activity	'
	Restricted stock unit activity from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 follows:
					Weighted
					Average
					Grant Date
		Shares			Fair Value
	Non-vested restricted stock units outstanding at January 1, 2014		20,256		$	20.67
	Granted		21,550		$	34.67
	Vested		(9,754	)	$	22.13
	Forfeited		(667	)	$	21.09
	Non-vested restricted stock units outstanding September 30, 2014		31,385		$	29.82
Stock-Settled Performance Units	'
	The total target number of shares with respect to the Stock-Settled Performance Units is set forth below:
		2014			2013				2012				2011
		Performance			Performance				Performance				Performance
		Unit Awards			Unit Awards				Unit Awards				Unit Awards
	Target number of shares		154,000			236,500				192,000				144,375
Fair Value of Stock-Settled Performance Units	'
	The fair value of the Stock-Settled Performance Units is set forth below (in thousands):
		2014			2013				2012				2011
		Performance			Performance				Performance				Performance
		Unit Awards			Unit Awards				Unit Awards				Unit Awards
	Fair value at date of grant	$	5,388		$	5,564			$	3,065			$	5,569
	Compensation expense associated with the Stock-Settled Performance Units is shown below (in thousands):
Compensation Expense Associated with Stock-Settled Performance Units	'
		2014			2013				2012				2011
		Performance			Performance				Performance				Performance
		Unit Awards			Unit Awards				Unit Awards				Unit Awards
	Three months ended September 30, 2013	NA			$	464			$	255			$	464
	Three months ended September 30, 2014	$	449		$	464			$	255			NA
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013	NA			$	927			$	766			$	1,392
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014	$	898		$	1,391			$	766			$	464

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment consisted of the following at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Equipment	$	6,361,452		$	5,749,975
	Oil and natural gas properties		207,340			183,571
	Buildings		83,230			80,050
	Land		12,046			12,054
			6,664,068			6,025,650
	Less accumulated depreciation and depletion		(2,756,737	)		(2,390,109	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	3,907,331		$	3,635,541

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segments - Financial Information	'
	Separate financial data for each of our business segments is provided in the table below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues:
	Contract drilling	$	483,307		$	459,213		$	1,350,296		$	1,270,658
	Pressure pumping		349,996			259,209			896,834			744,989
	Oil and natural gas		14,724			13,827			38,844			45,329
	Total segment revenues		848,027			732,249			2,285,974			2,060,976
	Elimination of intercompany revenues (a)		(2,399	)		(1,342	)		(4,902	)		(3,714	)
	Total revenues	$	845,628		$	730,907		$	2,281,072		$	2,057,262
	Income before income taxes:
	Contract drilling	$	12,147		$	116,253		$	148,841		$	235,871
	Pressure pumping		25,208			16,917			51,661			75,686
	Oil and natural gas		3,002			5,421			9,337			17,189
			40,357			138,591			209,839			328,746
	Corporate and other		(13,936	)		(15,418	)		(42,251	)		(40,943	)
	Net gain on asset disposals (b)		3,870			1,378			8,705			2,286
	Interest income		234			293			618			716
	Interest expense		(6,993	)		(7,503	)		(21,430	)		(21,210	)
	Other		—			380			3			780
	Income before income taxes	$	23,532		$	117,721		$	155,484		$	270,375
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Identifiable assets:
	Contract drilling	$	3,859,415		$	3,569,588
	Pressure pumping		970,327			761,199
	Oil and natural gas		67,067			58,656
	Corporate and other (c)		71,540			297,684
	Total assets	$	4,968,349		$	4,687,127
	(a)	Consists of contract drilling and, in 2014, pressure pumping intercompany revenues for services provided to the oil and natural gas exploration and production segment.
	(b)	Net gains or losses associated with the disposal of assets relate to corporate strategy decisions of the executive management group. Accordingly, the related gains or losses have been separately presented and excluded from the results of specific segments.
	(c)	Corporate and other assets primarily include cash on hand and certain deferred tax assets.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill by Operating Segment	'
	Goodwill — Goodwill by operating segment as of September 30, 2014 and changes for the nine months then ended are as follows (in thousands):
		Contract		Pressure
		Drilling		Pumping			Total
	Balance December 31, 2013	$	86,234	$	67,575		$	153,809
	Changes to goodwill	—			15,485			15,485
	Balance September 30, 2014	$	86,234	$	83,060		$	169,294
Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Customer Relationships	'
	The following table presents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the customer relationships as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		30-Sep-14							31-Dec-13
		Gross					Net		Gross					Net
		Carrying		Accumulated			Carrying		Carrying		Accumulated			Carrying
		Amount		Amortization			Amount		Amount		Amortization			Amount
	Customer relationships	$	25,500	$	(14,571	)	$	10,929	$	25,500	$	(11,839	)	$	13,661

Accrued_Expenses_Tables

Accrued Expenses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses	'
	Accrued expenses consisted of the following at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Salaries, wages, payroll taxes and benefits	$	53,329	$	45,836
	Workers' compensation liability		77,773		74,975
	Property, sales, use and other taxes		14,754		12,367
	Insurance, other than workers' compensation		11,177		10,129
	Accrued interest payable		13,713		7,604
	Other		12,198		9,546
		$	182,944	$	160,457

Asset_Retirement_Obligation_Ta

Asset Retirement Obligation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes to Company's Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	The following table describes the changes to the Company’s asset retirement obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	4,837		$	4,422
	Liabilities incurred		411			276
	Liabilities settled		(68	)		(119	)
	Accretion expense		126			124
	Revision in estimated costs of plugging oil and natural gas wells		19		—
	Asset retirement obligation at end of period	$	5,325		$	4,703

Long_Term_Debt_Tables

Long Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Principal Repayment Requirements of Long Term Debt	'
	Presented below is a schedule of the principal repayment requirements of long-term debt by fiscal year as of September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,
	2014	$	2,500
	2015		12,500
	2016		28,750
	2017		41,250
	2018	—
	Thereafter		600,000
	Total	$	685,000

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Cash Dividends	'
	The Company paid cash dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 as follows:
	2013:00:00	Per Share		Total
				(in thousands)
	Paid on March 29, 2013	$	0.05	$	7,312
	Paid on June 28, 2013		0.05		7,361
	Paid on September 30, 2013		0.05		7,231
	Total cash dividends	$	0.15	$	21,904
	2014:00:00	Per Share		Total
				(in thousands)
	Paid on March 27, 2014	$	0.1	$	14,456
	Paid on June 26, 2014		0.1		14,562
	Paid on September 24, 2014		0.1		14,634
	Total cash dividends	$	0.3	$	43,652
Treasury Stock Acquisition	'
	Treasury stock acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		30-Sep-14
		Shares		Cost
	Treasury shares at beginning of period		42,268,057	$	880,888
	Acquisitions pursuant to long-term incentive plans		536,630		17,681
	Purchases pursuant to the 2013 buyback program		13,898		466
	Treasury shares at end of period		42,818,585	$	899,035

Fair_Values_of_Financial_Instr1

Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Estimated Fair Value of Outstanding Debt Balances	'
	The estimated fair value of the Company’s outstanding debt balances (including current portion) as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is set forth below (in thousands):
		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Value		Value		Value		Value
	Borrowings under credit agreement:
	Term loan facility	$	85,000	$	85,000	$	92,500	$	92,500
	4.97% Series A Senior Notes		300,000		319,834		300,000		304,293
	4.27% Series B Senior Notes		300,000		304,893		300,000		286,772
	Total debt	$	685,000	$	709,727	$	692,500	$	683,565

Calculation_of_Basic_and_Dilut

Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
BASIC EPS:	'	'	'	'
Net income	$15,976	$74,420	$105,081	$171,418
Adjust for income attributed to holders of non-vested restricted stock	-160	-808	-1,074	-1,660
Income attributed to common stockholders	15,816	73,612	104,007	169,758
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding non-vested shares of restricted stock	144,798	144,446	143,778	144,915
Basic net income per common share	$0.11	$0.51	$0.72	$1.17
DILUTED EPS:	'	'	'	'
Income attributed to common stockholders	$15,816	$73,612	$104,007	$169,758
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding non-vested shares of restricted stock	144,798	144,446	143,778	144,915
Add dilutive effect of potential common shares	2,193	986	2,323	925
Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding	146,991	145,432	146,101	145,840
Diluted net income per common share	$0.11	$0.51	$0.71	$1.16
Potentially dilutive securities excluded as anti-dilutive	442	2,897	473	4,043

Stockbased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Apr. 17, 2014
		Performance Unit Awards 2011	Performance Unit Awards 2011	2014 Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Aggregate number of shares of Common Stock authorized for grant under the 2014 Plan	'	'	'	9,100,000
Performance period	'3 years	'	'	'
Award description	'Generally, the recipients will receive a target number of shares if the Companybs total shareholder return is positive and, when compared to the peer group, is at the 50th percentile and two times the target if at the 75th percentile or higher.	'	'	'
Target number of shares	'	'	144,375	'
Shares issued	'	288,750	'	'

WeightedAverage_Assumptions_Us

Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Estimate Grant Date Fair Values for Stock Options Granted (Detail) (Employee Stock Option)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Stock Option	'	'	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Method Used [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Volatility	35.64%	'	35.89%	41.36%
Expected term (in years)	'5 years	'	'5 years	'5 years
Dividend yield	1.18%	'	1.17%	0.89%
Risk-free interest rate	1.62%	'	1.76%	0.70%

Stock_Option_Activity_Detail

Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Underlying Shares	'
Outstanding at beginning of year	7,319,695
Granted	491,750
Exercised	-1,715,195
Cancelled	0
Expired	0
Outstanding at end of year	6,096,250
Exercisable at end of year	5,117,764
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Outstanding at beginning of year	$21.23
Granted	$32.32
Exercised	$20.59
Cancelled	$0
Expired	$0
Outstanding at end of year	$22.30
Exercisable at end of year	$21.48

Restricted_Stock_Activity_Deta

Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Awards, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Awards	'
Shares	'
Outstanding at beginning of period	1,496,692
Granted	778,100
Vested	-713,210
Forfeited	-45,616
Outstanding at end of period	1,515,966
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'
Outstanding at beginning of period	$20.84
Granted	$33.40
Vested	$21.75
Forfeited	$23.43
Outstanding at end of period	$26.79

Restricted_Stock_Unit_Activity

Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	'
Shares	'
Outstanding at beginning of period	20,256
Granted	21,550
Vested	-9,754
Forfeited	-667
Outstanding at end of period	31,385
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'
Outstanding at beginning of period	$20.67
Granted	$34.67
Vested	$22.13
Forfeited	$21.09
Outstanding at end of period	$29.82

StockSettled_Performance_Units

Stock-Settled Performance Units (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Performance Unit Awards 2014	'
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Performance Options [Line Items]	'
Target number of shares	154,000
Performance Unit Awards 2013	'
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Performance Options [Line Items]	'
Target number of shares	236,500
Performance Unit Awards 2012	'
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Performance Options [Line Items]	'
Target number of shares	192,000
Performance Unit Awards 2011	'
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Performance Options [Line Items]	'
Target number of shares	144,375

Fair_Value_of_Stock_Settled_Pe

Fair Value of Stock Settled Performance Units (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Performance Unit Awards 2014	'
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Performance Options [Line Items]	'
Fair value at date of grant	$5,388
Performance Unit Awards 2013	'
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Performance Options [Line Items]	'
Fair value at date of grant	5,564
Performance Unit Awards 2012	'
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Performance Options [Line Items]	'
Fair value at date of grant	3,065
Performance Unit Awards 2011	'
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Performance Options [Line Items]	'
Fair value at date of grant	$5,569

Compensation_Expense_Associate

Compensation Expense Associated with Stock-Settled Performance Units (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Performance Unit Awards 2014	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized Share Based Compensation Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense associated with Stock-Settled Performance Units	$449	'	$898	'
Performance Unit Awards 2013	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized Share Based Compensation Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense associated with Stock-Settled Performance Units	464	464	1,391	927
Performance Unit Awards 2012	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized Share Based Compensation Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense associated with Stock-Settled Performance Units	255	255	766	766
Performance Unit Awards 2011	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized Share Based Compensation Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense associated with Stock-Settled Performance Units	'	$464	$464	$1,392

Property_and_Equipment_Detail

Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Equipment	$6,361,452	$5,749,975
Oil and natural gas properties	207,340	183,571
Buildings	83,230	80,050
Land	12,046	12,054
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	6,664,068	6,025,650
Less accumulated depreciation and depletion	-2,756,737	-2,390,109
Property and equipment, net	$3,907,331	$3,635,541

Property_and_Equipment_Additio

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (Drilling Rigs That Would No Longer Be Marketed As Rigs, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
	Rigs
Drilling Rigs That Would No Longer Be Marketed As Rigs	'
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]	'
Number of drilling rigs	55
Impairment Charges of fleets	$77.90

Business_Segments_Additional_I

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable business segments	3

Business_Segments_Revenues_Det

Business Segments - Revenues (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Oil and natural gas	$14,724		$13,827		$38,844		$45,329
Total revenues	845,628		730,907		2,281,072		2,057,262
Contract Drilling	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Oil and gas services	482,212		457,871		1,346,698		1,266,944
Pressure Pumping	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Oil and gas services	348,692		259,209		895,530		744,989
Operating Segments	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Total revenues	848,027		732,249		2,285,974		2,060,976
Operating Segments | Contract Drilling	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Oil and gas services	483,307		459,213		1,350,296		1,270,658
Operating Segments | Pressure Pumping	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Oil and gas services	349,996		259,209		896,834		744,989
Intersegment Elimination	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Total revenues	($2,399)	[1]	($1,342)	[1]	($4,902)	[1]	($3,714)	[1]
[1]	Consists of contract drilling and, in 2014, pressure pumping intercompany revenues for services provided to the oil and natural gas exploration and production segment.

Business_Segments_Income_Loss_

Business Segments - Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Operating income (loss)	$30,291		$124,551		$176,293		$290,089
Net gain on asset disposals	3,870	[1]	1,378	[1]	8,705	[1]	2,286	[1]
Interest income	234		293		618		716
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized	-6,993		-7,503		-21,430		-21,210
Other	0		380		3		780
Income before income taxes	23,532		117,721		155,484		270,375
Operating Segments	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Operating income (loss)	40,357		138,591		209,839		328,746
Operating Segments | Contract Drilling	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Operating income (loss)	12,147		116,253		148,841		235,871
Operating Segments | Pressure Pumping	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Operating income (loss)	25,208		16,917		51,661		75,686
Operating Segments | Oil and Natural Gas	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Operating income (loss)	3,002		5,421		9,337		17,189
Operating Segments | Corporate and Other	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Operating income (loss)	($13,936)		($15,418)		($42,251)		($40,943)
[1]	Net gains or losses associated with the disposal of assets relate to corporate strategy decisions of the executive management group. Accordingly, the related gains or losses have been separately presented and excluded from the results of specific segments.

Business_Segments_Assets_Detai

Business Segments - Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
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.

Goodwill_by_Operating_Segment_

Goodwill by Operating Segment (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
		Contract Drilling	Contract Drilling	Pressure Pumping
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$153,809	$86,234	$86,234	$67,575
Changes to goodwill	15,485	'	'	15,485
Ending Balance	$169,294	$86,234	$86,234	$83,060

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			Customer Relationships	Customer Relationships	Customer Relationships	Customer Relationships	Non-compete Agreement	Non-compete Agreement	Non-compete Agreement
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	$0	$0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization period (in years)	'	'	'	'	'7 years	'	'	'	'3 years
Amortization expense	'	'	$911,000	$911,000	$2,700,000	$2,700,000	'	$117,000	$350,000
Contract term	'	'	'	'	'	'	'3 years	'	'

Gross_Carrying_Amount_and_Accu

Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets (Detail) (Customer Relationships, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Customer Relationships	'	'
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$25,500	$25,500
Accumulated Amortization	-14,571	-11,839
Net Carrying Amount	$10,929	$13,661

Summary_of_Accrued_Expenses_De

Summary of Accrued Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Salaries, wages, payroll taxes and benefits	$53,329	$45,836
Workers' compensation liability	77,773	74,975
Property, sales, use and other taxes	14,754	12,367
Insurance, other than workers' compensation	11,177	10,129
Accrued interest payable	13,713	7,604
Other	12,198	9,546
Accrued expenses	$182,944	$160,457

Changes_to_Companys_Asset_Reti

Changes to Company's Asset Retirement Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	$4,837	$4,422
Liabilities incurred	411	276
Liabilities settled	-68	-119
Accretion expense	126	124
Revision in estimated costs of plugging oil and natural gas wells	19	'
Asset retirement obligation at end of period	$5,325	$4,703

Long_Term_Debt_Additional_Info

Long Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Oct. 05, 2010

Sep. 30, 2014

Oct. 05, 2010

Oct. 05, 2010

Jun. 14, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 14, 2012

Jun. 14, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 27, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

Base Rate

Term Loan Facility

4.97% Series A Senior Notes, Due October 5th 2020

4.97% Series A Senior Notes, Due October 5th 2020

4.97% Series A Senior Notes, Due October 5th 2020

4.97% Series A Senior Notes, Due October 5th 2020

4.27% Series B Senior Notes, Due June 14th 2022

4.27% Series B Senior Notes, Due June 14th 2022

4.27% Series B Senior Notes, Due June 14th 2022

4.27% Series B Senior Notes, Due June 14th 2022

Revolving Credit Facility

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Semi Annual Payment, First Payment

Semi Annual Payment, First Payment

Semi Annual Payment, Second Payment

Semi Annual Payment, Second Payment

LegalMatter

Minimum

Maximum

LegalMatter

Minimum

Maximum

LegalMatter

Minimum

Maximum

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

Base Rate

Base Rate

Term Loan Facility

Term Loan Facility

Term Loan Facility

Term Loan Facility

Term Loan Facility

Term Loan Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

4.97% Series A Senior Notes, Due October 5th 2020

4.27% Series B Senior Notes, Due June 14th 2022

4.97% Series A Senior Notes, Due October 5th 2020

4.27% Series B Senior Notes, Due June 14th 2022

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

First Four Quarterly Installments

Subsequent Eight Quarterly Installments

Subsequent Four Quarterly Installments

Amount For The Final Four Quarterly Installments

Letter of Credit

Swing Line Facility

Debt Disclosure [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current aggregate borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$500,000,000

$150,000,000

$40,000,000

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, frequency of payment and payment terms

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'The term loan facility is payable in quarterly principal installments, which commenced December 27, 2012. The installment amounts vary from 1.25% of the original principal amount for each of the first four quarterly installments, 2.50% of the original principal amount for each of the subsequent eight quarterly installments, 5.00% of the original principal amount for the subsequent four quarterly installments and 13.75% of the original principal amount for the final four quarterly installments.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, frequency of payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Quarterly

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commencement date of principal payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27-Dec-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Installment amounts percentage of the original principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

2.50%

5.00%

13.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate amount by which the revolving credit facility can be increased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

700,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5-Oct-20

'

'

'

14-Jun-22

'

'

'

'

27-Sep-17

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Applicable margin

'

'

'

'

2.25%

1.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.25%

3.25%

1.25%

2.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment fee payable to the lenders for the unused portion of the credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit agreement, financial covenant description

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'The Company must not permit its debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 45%. The Credit Agreement generally defines the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter. The Company also must not permit the interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 3.00 to 1.00. The Credit Agreement generally defines the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (bEBITDAb) of the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for the same period. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2014

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of compliance covenants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt to capitalization ratio, percentage the Company must not exceed at any time

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

45.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest coverage ratio that the Company must exceed on the last day of the fiscal quarter

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250.00%

'

'

'

250.00%

'

'

'

'

300.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit, amount outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

85,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unfunded letters of credit, amount outstanding

39,800,000

'

39,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit, available borrowing capacity

460,000,000

'

460,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.97%

'

'

'

4.27%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest pay date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'April 5

'April 5

'October 5

'October 5

Notes issuance date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5-Oct-10

'

'

'

14-Jun-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Description of the prepayment terms

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Notes are prepayable at the Companybs option, in whole or in part, provided that in the case of a partial prepayment, prepayment must be in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding, at any time and from time to time at 100% of the principal amount prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the prepayment date, plus a bmake-wholeb premium as specified in the note purchase agreements. The Company must offer to prepay the notes upon the occurrence of any change of control. In addition, the Company must offer to prepay the notes upon the occurrence of certain asset dispositions if the proceeds therefrom are not timely reinvested in productive assets. If any offer to prepay is accepted, the purchase price of each prepaid note is 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the prepayment date.

'

'

'

'Notes are prepayable at the Companybs option, in whole or in part, provided that in the case of a partial prepayment, prepayment must be in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding, at any time and from time to time at 100% of the principal amount prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the prepayment date, plus a bmake-wholeb premium as specified in the note purchase agreements. The Company must offer to prepay the notes upon the occurrence of any change of control. In addition, the Company must offer to prepay the notes upon the occurrence of certain asset dispositions if the proceeds therefrom are not timely reinvested in productive assets. If any offer to prepay is accepted, the purchase price of each prepaid note is 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the prepayment date.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Prepayment terms, percent of principal before accrued and unpaid interest and "make-whole" premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Description of the acceptance terms

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'If any offer to prepay is accepted, the purchase price of each prepaid note is 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the prepayment date.

'

'

'

'If any offer to prepay is accepted, the purchase price of each prepaid note is 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the prepayment date.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acceptance terms, percent of principal before accrued and unpaid interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note purchase agreement, financial covenant description

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'The Company must not permit its debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 50% at any time. The note purchase agreements generally define the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter. The Company also must not permit the interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 2.50 to 1.00. The note purchase agreements generally define the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of EBITDA for the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for that same period. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2014.

'

'

'

'The Company must not permit its debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 50% at any time. The note purchase agreements generally define the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter. The Company also must not permit the interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 2.50 to 1.00. The note purchase agreements generally define the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of EBITDA for the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for that same period. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2014.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense related to amortization of debt issuance costs

$547,000

$547,000

$1,600,000

$1,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule_of_Principal_Repaymen

Schedule of Principal Repayment Requirements of Long Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$2,500	'
2015	12,500	'
2016	28,750	'
2017	41,250	'
2018	0	'
Thereafter	600,000	'
Total	$685,000	$692,500

Commitments_Contingencies_and_1

Commitments Contingencies and Other Matters - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Letters of credit, collateral for retrospective premiums and retained losses	$39,800,000
Commitments to purchase major equipment	574,000,000
Current obligation	72,000,000
Obligation for remainder of the year	200,000
Non Revolving Senior Secured Term Loan	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Advance to non-affiliates	12,000,000
Notes receivable interest rate	5.00%
Notes receivable	11,800,000
Repayment of notes receivable	6,900,000
Notes receivable outstanding	$4,900,000

Cash_Dividends_Detail

Cash Dividends (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid, per share	$0.10	$0.05	$0.30	$0.15
Cash dividends paid	'	'	$43,652	$21,904
Period 1	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid, date	'	'	27-Mar-14	29-Mar-13
Cash dividends paid, per share	'	'	$0.10	$0.05
Cash dividends paid	'	'	14,456	7,312
Period 2	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid, date	'	'	26-Jun-14	28-Jun-13
Cash dividends paid, per share	'	'	$0.10	$0.05
Cash dividends paid	'	'	14,562	7,361
Period 3	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid, date	'	'	24-Sep-14	30-Sep-13
Cash dividends paid, per share	'	'	$0.10	$0.05
Cash dividends paid	'	'	$14,634	$7,231

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 06, 2013	Oct. 23, 2014
		Long Term Incentive Plan	2013 Program	2013 Program	Subsequent Event
				Maximum	Dividend Declared
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend declaration date	'	'	'	'	22-Oct-14
Dividend per share, declared	'	'	'	'	$0.10
Dividend payment date	'	'	'	'	24-Dec-14
Dividend record date	'	'	'	'	10-Dec-14
Amount approved for repurchases under stock buyback program	'	'	'	$200,000,000	'
Remaining Amount approved for repurchases under stock buyback program	187,000,000	'	'	'	'
Treasury stock shares acquired	'	536,630	13,898	'	'
Treasury stock shares acquired, fair value	$18,147,000	$17,681,000	$466,000	'	'

Treasury_Stock_Acquisition_Det

Treasury Stock Acquisition (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Treasury Stock [Line Items]	'
Treasury stock acquired, Shares, Beginning balance	42,268,057
Treasury stock acquired, Shares, Ending balance	42,818,585
Treasury stock acquired, Values, Beginning balance	$880,888
Treasury stock acquired, Values	18,147
Treasury stock acquired, Values, Ending balance	899,035
2013 Program	'
Schedule of Treasury Stock [Line Items]	'
Treasury stock acquired, Shares	13,898
Treasury stock acquired, Values	466
Long Term Incentive Plan	'
Schedule of Treasury Stock [Line Items]	'
Treasury stock acquired, Shares	536,630
Treasury stock acquired, Values	$17,681

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Effective income tax rate	32.40%	36.60%
Domestic Production Activities Deduction	9.00%	'

Estimated_Fair_Value_of_Outsta

Estimated Fair Value of Outstanding Debt Balances (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying value of Debt	$685,000	$692,500
Fair value of Debt	709,727	683,565
Term Loan Facility	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying value of Debt	85,000	92,500
Fair value of Debt	85,000	92,500
4.97% Series A Senior Notes, Due October 5th 2020	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying value of Debt	300,000	300,000
Fair value of Debt	319,834	304,293
4.27% Series B Senior Notes, Due June 14th 2022	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying value of Debt	300,000	300,000
Fair value of Debt	$304,893	$286,772

Fair_Values_of_Financial_Instr2

Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
4.97% Series A Senior Notes, Due October 5th 2020	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Current market rates used in measuring fair value	3.73%	4.52%
4.27% Series B Senior Notes, Due June 14th 2022	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Current market rates used in measuring fair value	4.02%	4.89%

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 20, 2014
	PressurePumpingEquipments
	Horsepower
	Bases
Subsequent Event	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Additional bases of operations and employees	2
Hydraulic fracturing equipment purchased in the acquisition	148,250
Total equipment purchased in acquisition for pressure pumping horse power	180,000
Payments to acquire businesses	$176
Number of pressure pumping acquisitions	2