Name:	spn_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesPercentOfSharesAuthorizedForRepurchase
Namespace Prefix:	spn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of the stock issuance to or stock issuance received from the bank in the settlement of the accelerated share repurchase agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	spn_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesSettlement
Namespace Prefix:	spn_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Description of the nature of the settlement (cash or stock) of the accelerated share repurchases agreement.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 30

-Section 25

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405686&loc=d3e22802-112653

Name:	us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesCashOrStockSettlement
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and have not been retired and are not held in treasury. Some state laws may govern the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased during the period and has not been retired and is not held in treasury. Some state laws may mandate the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.