Supplemental Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (2,282)	$ 7,865
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of $7 and ($58)	24	(176)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(2,258)	7,689
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	1,222	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	(3,480)	7,689
Unrealized income (loss) on securities, tax	7	(58)
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(10,910)	(22,159)
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of $7 and ($58)	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(10,910)	(22,159)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	(10,910)	(22,159)
Unrealized income (loss) on securities, tax	0	0
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(3,504)	7,865
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of $7 and ($58)	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(3,504)	7,865
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	(3,504)	7,865
Unrealized income (loss) on securities, tax	0	0
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	9,772	20,829
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of $7 and ($58)	24	(176)
Comprehensive income (loss)	9,796	20,653
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	9,796	20,653
Unrealized income (loss) on securities, tax	7	(58)
Combined Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	2,360	1,330
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of $7 and ($58)	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	2,360	1,330
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	1,222	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation	1,138	1,330
Unrealized income (loss) on securities, tax	$ 0	$ 0