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Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
0 Months Ended
Feb. 04, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Aug. 01, 2007
Jul. 25, 2012
Sep. 06, 2013
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]          
Remaining Amount approved for repurchases under stock buyback program   $ 187us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1      
2007 Program | Maximum          
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]          
Amount approved for repurchases under stock buyback program     250us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= pten_StockRepurchasePlanMember
   
2012 Program | Maximum          
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]          
Amount approved for repurchases under stock buyback program       150us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= pten_StockRepurchasePlanOneMember
 
2013 Program | Maximum          
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]          
Amount approved for repurchases under stock buyback program         $ 200us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= pten_StockRepurchasePlanTwoMember
Subsequent Event | Dividend Declared          
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]          
Dividend declaration date Feb. 04, 2015        
Dividend per share, declared $ 0.10us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= us-gaap_DividendDeclaredMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
       
Dividend payment date Mar. 25, 2015        
Dividend record date Mar. 11, 2015