Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Schedule of Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (206,886)	$ 18,899	$ (218,899)	$ 32,552
Income of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) of diluted income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (206,886)	$ 18,899	$ (218,899)	$ 32,552
Weighted shares of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	52,950	52,068	52,814	51,951
Weighted shares of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	1,072	0	808
Weighted shares of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	52,950	53,140	52,814	52,759
Per-Share amount of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (3.91)	$ 0.36	$ (4.14)	$ 0.63
Per-Share amount of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0	0	(0.01)
Per-Share amount of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (3.91)	$ 0.36	$ (4.14)	$ 0.62