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v3.6.0.2

Subsequent Events (Details) - item | 1 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jan. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
International Land |  |
Subsequent Event |  |
Number of rigs early termination notice received |  | 5
U.S. Land | Subsequent Event |  |
Subsequent Event |  |
Number of rigs sold | 2 |

X
- Definition The number of rigs which has received termination notice. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hp_NumberOfRigsForWhichEarlyTerminationNoticeReceived
Namespace Prefix: | hp_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The number of rigs which were sold. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hp_NumberOfRigsSold
Namespace Prefix: | hp_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Detail information of subsequent event by type. User is expected to use existing line items from elsewhere in the taxonomy as the primary line items for this disclosure, which is further associated with dimension and member elements pertaining to a subsequent event. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hp_InternationalLandMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hp_USLandMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |