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Accrued Expenses - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Deferred revenue recognized	$ 1.8	$ 4.7

X

- Definition

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]

+ Details

Name:	pten_ScheduleOfAccruedLiabilitiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	pten
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of previously reported deferred or unearned revenue that was recognized as revenue during the period. Deferred revenue is a liability related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 13
-Section A

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6600647&loc=d3e214044-122780

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration