Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Schedule of Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	8 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Aug. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) of basic income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (8,968)	$ 55,131	$ 6,295	$ (931,012)	$ (8,636)
Income of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0	0	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted	$ (8,968)	$ 55,131	$ 6,295	$ (931,012)	$ (8,636)
Weighted shares of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	12,000	53,519	11,311	53,368	11,735
Weighted shares of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0	109	0	0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	12,000	53,519	11,420	53,368	11,735
Per-Share amount of basic earnings (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation per common share	$ (0.75)	$ 1.03	$ 0.56	$ (17.45)	$ (0.74)
Per-Share amount of effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	0	0	(0.01)	0	0
Diluted	$ (0.75)	$ 1.03	$ 0.55	$ (17.45)	$ (0.74)