BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summary of information with respect to RPC's business segments (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	[1]
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 334,656	$ 436,334
Operating (loss) income:
Total operating (loss) income	(2,161)	60,798
Interest expense	(89)	(105)
Interest income	800	402
Other income, net	445	5,395
(Loss) income before income taxes	(1,005)	66,490
Depreciation and amortization	42,505	37,480
Capital expenditures	62,280	50,482
Identifiable assets	1,226,492	1,181,017	$ 1,199,580
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues	334,656	436,334
Operating (loss) income:
Total operating (loss) income	(2,161)	60,798
Operating Segments | Technical Services
Revenues:
Revenues	314,079	419,063
Operating (loss) income:
Total operating (loss) income	(4,457)	65,005
Depreciation and amortization	39,902	33,937
Capital expenditures	59,889	48,551
Identifiable assets	969,036	933,979
Operating Segments | Support Services
Revenues:
Revenues	20,577	17,271
Operating (loss) income:
Total operating (loss) income	3,137	(905)
Depreciation and amortization	2,511	3,432
Capital expenditures	2,069	1,406
Identifiable assets	82,111	73,801
Corporate
Operating (loss) income:
Total operating (loss) income	(4,345)	(4,665)
Depreciation and amortization	92	111
Capital expenditures	322	525
Identifiable assets	175,345	173,237
Gain on disposition of assets, net
Operating (loss) income:
Total operating (loss) income	$ 3,504	$ 1,363

[1] Note 1