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Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Future net cash flow discount rate | 10.00%pten_FutureNetCashFlowsDiscountRate

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- Definition Future net cash flows discount rate. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | pten_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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