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Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2012 Segment
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items] |
Number of reportable business segments | 3

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

X
- Definition Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration