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Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Total number of shares authorized for grant before amendment |  | 10,250,000 |
Total number of shares authorized for grant after amendment |  | 15,250,000 |
Options outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value | $ 17,900,000 |  |
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term | 5.3 |  |
Options exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value | 14,600,000 |  |
Options exercisable, weighted-average remaining contractual term | 4.8 |  |
Outstanding non-vested options | 1,003,660 |  |
Restricted Stock Awards |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Outstanding non-vested restricted stock | 1,100,000 |  |
Performance Unit Awards 2009 |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Performance period | The performance period for the 2009 Performance Units is the period from April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2012, but can extend through March 31, 2014 in certain circumstances. |  |
Award description | Generally, the recipients will receive a base payment if the Company's total shareholder return is positive and, when compared to the peer group, is at or above the 25th percentile but less than the 50th percentile, two times the base if at or above the 50th percentile but less than the 75th percentile, and four times the base if at the 75th percentile or higher. |  |
Base payment | 1,700,000 |  |
Pro-rated obligation | 3,600,000 |  |
Compensation expense | 1,300,000 | 1,500,000 | 859,000.0
Performance Unit Awards 2009 | Maximum |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Performance period | March 31, 2012 |  |
Performance Unit Awards 2009 | Maximum | Certain Circumstances |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Performance period | March 31, 2014 |  |
Performance Unit Awards 2009 | Minimum |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Performance period | April 1, 2009 |  |
Performance Unit Awards 2010 |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Performance period | The performance period for the 2010 Performance Units is the period from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2013, but can extend through March 31, 2015 in certain circumstances. |  |
Award description | Generally, the recipients will receive a base number of shares if the Company’s total shareholder return is positive and, when compared to the peer group, is at the 25th percentile, two times the base if at the 50th percentile, and four times the base if at the 75th percentile or higher. The grant of shares when achievement is between the 25th and 75th percentile will be determined on a pro-rata basis. |  |
Compensation expense | 1,000,000 | 779,000 |
Base number of shares | 89,375 |  |
Grant date fair value | 3,100,000 |  |
Performance Unit Awards 2010 | Maximum |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Performance period | March 31, 2013 |  |
Performance Unit Awards 2010 | Maximum | Certain Circumstances |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Performance period | March 31, 2015 |  |
Performance Unit Awards 2010 | Minimum |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Performance period | April 1, 2010 |  |
Performance Unit Awards 2011 |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Performance period | The performance period for the 2011 Performance Units is the period from April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2014, but can extend through March 31, 2016 in certain circumstances. |  |
Award description | Generally, the recipients will receive a base number of shares if the Company’s total shareholder return is positive and, when compared to the peer group, is at the 25th percentile, two times the base if at the 50th percentile, and four times the base if at the 75th percentile or higher. The grant of shares when achievement is between the 25th and 75th percentile will be determined on a pro-rata basis. |  |
Compensation expense | 1,400,000 |  |
Base number of shares | 72,188 |  |
Grant date fair value | $ 5,600,000 |  |
Performance Unit Awards 2011 | Maximum |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Performance period | March 31, 2014 |  |
Performance Unit Awards 2011 | Maximum | Certain Circumstances |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Performance period | March 31, 2016 |  |
Performance Unit Awards 2011 | Minimum |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Performance period | April 1, 2011 |  |
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Total number of shares authorized for grant after amendment | 15,250,000 |  |
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended | Non Employee Director |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Awards vesting period | 1 year |  |
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended | Employees |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Awards vesting period | 3 years |  |
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended | Maximum |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Option term | 10 years |  |
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended ("1997 Plan") | Restricted Stock Awards |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Awards vesting period | 4 years |  |
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended ("1997 Plan") | Employee Stock Option | Maximum |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Awards vesting period | 5 years |  |
Option term | 10 years |  |
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended ("1997 Plan") | Employee Stock Option | Minimum |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Awards vesting period | 3 years |  |
Amended and Restated Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("2001 Plan") | Employee Stock Option |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Awards vesting period | 5 years |  |
Amended and Restated Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("2001 Plan") | Employee Stock Option | Maximum |  |  |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Option term | 10 years |  |

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- Definition Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable for incentive compensation awarded to employees and directors or earned by them based on the terms of one or more relevant arrangements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 9 -Section 03 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 7 -Section 03 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph a + Details
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- Definition Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph g(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6793087&loc=d3e301413-122809 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 14 -Section F Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph 64 -Subparagraph b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition Description of the period of time over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, which may be expressed in a variety of ways (for example, in years, month and year). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition General descriptive information regarding an arrangement under which employees and directors receive: (a) awards of equity shares, equity share options, or other equity instruments; or (b) the entity incurs liabilities to them: (1) in amounts based, at least in part, on the price of the entity's shares or other equity instruments; or (2) that require or may require settlement by issuance of the entity's shares. Such an arrangement is usually provided to employees and directors to compensate them, provide performance incentives to them, and to attract or retain their services. May also include pertinent information particular to a plan that is not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph 64, 65 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901 + Details
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- Definition The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable under the option plan as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The weighted average period between the balance sheet date and expiration for all vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable (or convertible) under the plan, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices pertaining to options outstanding under the plan as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph d(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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