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Stock-Settled Performance Units (Detail) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2014
Performance Unit Awards 2014 |
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Performance Options [Line Items] |
Target number of shares | 154,000
Performance Unit Awards 2013 |
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Performance Options [Line Items] |
Target number of shares | 236,500
Performance Unit Awards 2012 |
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Performance Options [Line Items] |
Target number of shares | 192,000
Performance Unit Awards 2011 |
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Performance Options [Line Items] |
Target number of shares | 144,375

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- Definition Performance award target number of shares. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | pten_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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