XML 65 R63.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended |  | 1 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 Scenario, Forecast | Apr. 23, 2012 Sale A subsidiary of the Company | Apr. 23, 2012 Tetra Technologies Inc Sale A subsidiary of the Company
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |
Proceeds from sale of assets, investing activities |  |  | $ 42.5
Associated financial working capital retained |  | 5 |
Gain on disposal of assets | $ 20 |  |

X
- Definition Working capital + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | pten_WorkingCapital
Namespace Prefix: | pten_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The gains (losses) included in earnings resulting from the sale or disposal of tangible assets. This item does not include any gain (loss) recognized on the sale of oil and gas property or timber property. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 47 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2941-110230 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Aggregate cash proceeds received from a combination of transactions that are classified as investing activities in which assets, which may include one or more investments, are sold to third-party buyers. This element can be used by entities to aggregate proceeds from all asset sales that are classified as investing activities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromSalesOfAssetsInvestingActivities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration