BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summary of information with respect to RPC's business segments (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 467,926	$ 398,810	$ 904,260	$ 696,929
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income (loss)	75,029	67,002	135,827	68,576
Interest expense	(113)	(114)	(218)	(217)
Interest income	458	411	860	540
Other income, net	4,104	2,010	9,499	2,222
Income before income taxes	79,478	69,309	145,968	71,121
Depreciation and amortization	40,094	41,263	77,574	85,926
Capital expenditures			149,692	30,645
Identifiable assets	1,218,648	1,105,885	1,218,648	1,105,885	$ 1,147,224
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues	467,926	398,810	904,260	696,929
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income (loss)	75,029	67,002	135,827	68,576
Operating Segments | Technical Services
Revenues:
Revenues	449,852	385,462	868,915	671,660
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income (loss)	75,624	70,901	140,629	80,106
Depreciation and amortization			70,910	76,242
Capital expenditures			144,511	25,282
Identifiable assets	983,177	857,482	983,177	857,482
Operating Segments | Support Services
Revenues:
Revenues	18,074	13,348	35,345	25,269
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income (loss)	1,193	(3,339)	288	(8,560)
Depreciation and amortization			6,444	9,451
Capital expenditures			4,467	5,165
Identifiable assets	77,372	75,117	77,372	75,117
Corporate
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income (loss)	(3,598)	(4,319)	(8,263)	(8,246)
Depreciation and amortization			220	233
Capital expenditures			714	198
Identifiable assets	158,099	173,286	158,099	173,286
Gain on disposition of assets, net
Operating income (loss):
Total operating income (loss)	$ 1,810	$ 3,759	$ 3,173	$ 5,276