XML 28 R47.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 1 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Apr. 23, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012
Property, Plant, and Equipment Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Disposition of operations | $ 42.5 |
Gain from Disposition of operations |  | $ 22.6

X
- Definition Proceeds from Sale of Assets + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | pten_ProceedsFromSaleOfAssets
Namespace Prefix: | pten_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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

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 Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2941-110230 Reference 2: 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 Reference 3: 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FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 47 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration