Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 19, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 M Day	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Unbilled Contracts Receivable		$ 31,512,000	$ 21,423,000
Prepaid drilling contracts		3,966,000	3,669,000
Costs in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts or Programs Expected to be Collected within One Year		4,600,000
Recognition of Deferred Revenue		5,100,000	3,000,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Maximum Original Maturity Period Of Cash And Liquid Investments		3
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value		5,700,000	5,700,000
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents		1,300,000
Payments for Obligations from Previous Acquisition, Annual Installment		700,000
Escrow Deposit Disbursements, Annual Installment Payment, Remaining Period		2 years
Accounts Receivable Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Trade Accounts Receivable, Minimum Period Invoice Past Due Used for Collectability Analysis on Allowance for Doubtful Accounts		90
Investments [Abstract]
Auction Market Preferred Securities, Stock Series, Value			15,900,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains (Losses), Sale Proceeds	12,600,000
Auction Market Preferred Securities, Sales price as a Percentage of Par Value			79.00%
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net		0	3,331,000	0
Options Held [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Investments [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Noncurrent		300,000
Options Held [Member] | Other Income [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Investments [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Noncurrent		600,000
Other Current Assets [Member]
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current		700,000
Payments for Obligations from Previous Acquisition, Current		700,000
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent		700,000
Investments [Abstract]
Payments for Obligations from Previous Acquisition, Noncurrent		700,000
Drilling Services Division [Member] | Turnkey Drilling Contract [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Unbilled Contracts Receivable		600,000
Drilling Services Division [Member] | Daywork Drilling Contract [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Unbilled Contracts Receivable		27,900,000
Production Services Division [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Unbilled Contracts Receivable		$ 3,000,000