Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended			4 Months Ended	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) MMcf	Aug. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) contract Partnerships MMcf	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]						We consolidate the activities of Superior, a 50/50 joint venture between Unit and SP Investor Holdings, LLC, which qualifies as a VIE under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). We have concluded that we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE, as defined in the accounting standards, since we have the power to direct those activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of Superior as further described in Note 19 – Variable Interest Entity Arrangements.
Number of contracts, daywork expiring in one year | contract						3
Number of contracts, daywork expiring in two years | contract						2
Bank Overdrafts		$ 8,700,000		$ 2,600,000		$ 2,600,000	$ 8,700,000
Concentration of cash		1,700,000		21,400,000		21,400,000	1,700,000
Loss on abandonment of assets				0	$ 18,733,000		0
Interest Costs Capitalized							16,200,000
Goodwill impairment			$ 62,800,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss, Net of Tax			59,800,000
Additions to goodwill						0
Directly related overhead costs capitalized		16,500,000					16,500,000
Average rates used for depreciation, depletion, and amortization per Boe				4.21	7.77		9.66
Ceiling test write-down						559,400,000	559,400,000
Unproved properties included in amortization		73,900,000			226,500,000		73,900,000
Non-cash ceiling test write-down net of tax	$ 220,800,000	294,500,000	$ 127,900,000		346,600,000	$ 422,400,000	422,400,000
Eliminated yielding							1,600,000
Number of oil and gas limited partnerships | Partnerships						13
Repurchase of limited units outstanding amount							600,000
Liability recognized to under production		$ (3,838,000)		(3,997,000)		$ (3,997,000)	$ (3,838,000)
Drilling Equipment
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Minimum depreciation percentage for idle drilling rigs (if idle under 48 months)						20.00%
Loss on abandonment of assets					1,100,000
Building
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life, years						39 years
SCR drilling rigs | Drilling Equipment
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use					407,100,000
Other drilling equipment | Drilling Equipment
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use					3,000,000.0
BOSS drilling rigs | Drilling Equipment
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Carrying value of asset group	$ 242,500,000
Drilling
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of daywork contracts | contract						9
Loss on abandonment of assets					$ 1,092,000
Minimum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of days for drilling of one well						10 days
Contact duration						2 months
Insurance coverage				0		$ 0
Minimum | Drilling Equipment
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life, years						15 years
Minimum | Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life, years						3 years
Minimum | Drilling
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of days for drilling of one well						10 days
Contact duration						2 months
Maximum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of days for drilling of one well						90 days
Contact duration						1 year
Insurance coverage				$ 1,000,000.0		$ 1,000,000.0
Maximum | Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life, years						15 years
Maximum | Drilling
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of days for drilling of one well						90 days
Contact duration						3 years
Under-Produced Properties
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Natural gas balancing (MMcf) | MMcf				3,300,000		3,300,000
Over-Produced Properties
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Natural gas balancing (MMcf) | MMcf				3,300,000		3,300,000
Natural Gas Balancing
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Accounts receivable				$ 3,400,000		$ 3,400,000
Long-term Contract with Customer [Member] | Drilling
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of daywork contracts | contract						5
Long-term Contract with Customer [Member] | Minimum | Drilling
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Contact duration						2 months
Long-term Contract with Customer [Member] | Maximum | Drilling
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Contact duration						1 year
Salvage Value [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Change in Accounting Estimate, Description						During the fourth quarter 2019, we reassessed estimated salvage values associated with our oil and natural gas operations. Based on market conditions for our industry and the substantial doubt that existed for our ability to continue as a going concern, we revised these estimates downward for a total adjustment of $39.7 million ($25.6 million discounted for our full cost ceiling test) to salvage value estimates.
Change in estimate for salvage value						$ 39,700,000
Change in estimate for salvage value, discounted						$ 25,600,000