XML 42 R45.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail) | Mar. 31, 2012 Segment
--- | ---
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items] |
Number of reportable business segments | 3

X
- Definition Number of Reportable Business Segments + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | pten_NumberOfReportableBusinessSegments
Namespace Prefix: | pten_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | pten_SegmentReportingDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | pten_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration