Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Adjustment Interval of Variable Rate on Interest Rate Swap	90
Number of shares comprising Available for Sale Securities		1.4
Interest rate swap agreement for notional amount	$ 100.0
Fair value of long term debt	$ 1,753.2	$ 1,789.0

Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 12

-Section 13

-Sentence Column B

+ Details

Name:	invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Adjustment interval of variable interest rate on $100M interest rate swap

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spn_AdjustmentIntervalOfVariableRateOnInterestRateSwap
Namespace Prefix:	spn_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of shares classified as Available for Sale Securities

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Fair value portion of debt instrument payable, including, but not limited to, notes payable and loans payable.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28364263&loc=d3e13433-108611

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28364263&loc=d3e13476-108611

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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