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, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 582,831	$ 457,566	$ 1,084,523	$ 883,387
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	103,031	67,853	168,263	125,072
Interest expense	(49)	(942)	(386)	(1,282)
Interest income	6	60	10	65
Other income (expense), net	831	(191)	911	364
Income before income taxes	103,819	66,780	168,798	124,219
Capital expenditures			112,804	108,490
Depreciation and amortization	56,517	52,767	112,022	105,588
Operating Segments
Revenues:
Revenues	582,831	457,566	1,084,523	883,387
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	103,031	67,853	168,263	125,072
Identifiable assets	1,530,861	1,328,982	1,530,861	1,328,982
Capital expenditures			112,804	108,490
Depreciation and amortization			112,022	105,588
Operating Segments | Technical Services
Revenues:
Revenues	544,392	424,030	1,011,362	818,041
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	99,717	66,123	164,613	124,624
Identifiable assets	1,284,577	1,079,607	1,284,577	1,079,607
Capital expenditures			92,820	86,217
Depreciation and amortization			95,839	89,442
Operating Segments | Support Services
Revenues:
Revenues	38,439	33,536	73,161	65,346
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	8,998	7,081	16,455	13,339
Identifiable assets	161,572	195,406	161,572	195,406
Capital expenditures			19,417	21,626
Depreciation and amortization			15,863	15,803
Corporate
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	(4,279)	(3,594)	(9,168)	(8,494)
Identifiable assets	84,712	53,969	84,712	53,969
Capital expenditures			567	647
Depreciation and amortization			320	343
Loss on disposition of assets, net
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	$ (1,405)	$ (1,757)	$ (3,637)	$ (4,397)