BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summary of information with respect to RPC's business segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 457,566	$ 500,106	$ 883,387	$ 1,002,663
Operating profit:
Loss on disposition of assets, net	(1,757)	(1,904)	(4,397)	(3,308)
Total operating profit	67,853	119,858	125,072	250,715
Interest expense	(942)	(650)	(1,282)	(1,246)
Interest income	60	4	65	9
Other (expense) income, net	(191)	(880)	364	40
Income before income taxes	66,780	118,332	124,219	249,518
Identifiable assets at June 30	1,328,982	1,383,641	1,328,982	1,383,641
Capital expenditures			108,490	204,202
Depreciation and amortization	52,767	53,950	105,588	105,520
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues	457,566	500,106	883,387	1,002,663
Operating Segments | Technical Services
Revenues:
Revenues	424,030	461,643	818,041	923,164
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	66,123	112,371	124,624	235,902
Identifiable assets at June 30	1,079,607	1,138,612	1,079,607	1,138,612
Capital expenditures			86,217	168,976
Depreciation and amortization			89,442	90,154
Operating Segments | Support Services
Revenues:
Revenues	33,536	38,463	65,346	79,499
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	7,081	12,543	13,339	26,528
Identifiable assets at June 30	195,406	194,979	195,406	194,979
Capital expenditures			21,626	32,620
Depreciation and amortization			15,803	15,189
Corporate
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	(3,594)	(3,152)	(8,494)	(8,407)
Identifiable assets at June 30	53,969	50,050	53,969	50,050
Capital expenditures			647	2,606
Depreciation and amortization			$ 343	$ 177