Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (3,504)	$ 7,865
Income of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0
Earnings (loss) of diluted income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (3,504)	$ 7,865
Weighted shares of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	52,557	51,730
Weighted shares of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	542
Weighted shares of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	52,557	52,272
Per-Share amount of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (0.07)	$ 0.15
Per-Share amount of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0
Per-Share amount of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (0.07)	$ 0.15

Amount of increase (decrease) to net income used for calculating diluted earnings per share (EPS), resulting from the assumed exercise stock options, restrictive stock units (RSUs), convertible preferred stock of an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), and other dilutive convertible securities.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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Incremental Per Share Effect Of Dilutive Income Changes Over Dilutive Share Changes

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