Applicable margin rate.

No definition available.

Name:	pten_ApplicableMarginRate
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Consolidated debt as percentage of capitalization.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_ConsolidatedDebtAsPercentageOfCapitalization
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt instrument quarterly payment date four.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_DebtInstrumentQuarterlyPaymentDateFour
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt instrument quarterly payment date one.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_DebtInstrumentQuarterlyPaymentDateOne
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt instrument quarterly payment date three.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_DebtInstrumentQuarterlyPaymentDateThree
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt instrument quarterly payment date two.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_DebtInstrumentQuarterlyPaymentDateTwo
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Interest coverage ratio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_InterestCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line of credit facility additional borrowing capacity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_LineOfCreditFacilityAdditionalBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of covenants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_NumberOfCovenants
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Principal payments percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_PrincipalPaymentsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Pro forma ratio of debt to earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization ratio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_ProFormaRatioOfDebtToEarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationAndAmortizationRatio
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12

-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the debt agreement requires the first payment to be made, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 470

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDateOfFirstRequiredPayment1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Description of the conditions for borrowing under the credit facility including the nature of any restrictions.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTerms
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Description of the frequency of the required periodic payments of interest, principal, or both, and the amount, if set, or a description of a formula upon which payment is based.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFrequencyOfPaymentAndPaymentTerms
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of the frequency of periodic payments, which may be presented in a variety of ways (for example, monthly, quarterly, annually).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFrequencyOfPayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effective interest rate at the end of the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pten_CreditAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_BaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pten_ReimbursementAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pten_TwoThousandFifteenTermLoanAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=pten_SwingLineLoansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=pten_TermLoanFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodFourMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Long Term Debt - Credit Facilities - Additional Information (Detail)				9 Months Ended
	Mar. 18, 2015 USD ($) LegalMatter	Mar. 16, 2015	Sep. 27, 2012 USD ($) LegalMatter	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2016	Oct. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 24, 2012 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Assets				$ 4,678,166,000			$ 5,394,011,000
Letters of credit outstanding				$ 41,300,000
Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate amount by which the revolving credit facility can be increased			$ 100,000,000
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			$ 700,000,000
Debt maturity date			Sep. 27, 2017
Commitment fee payable to the lenders for the unused portion of the credit facility			0.50%
Credit agreement, financial covenant description				The Company must not permit its debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 45%. The Credit Agreement generally defines the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter. The Company also must not permit the interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 3.00 to 1.00. The Credit Agreement generally defines the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for the same period. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2015
Number of compliance covenants \| LegalMatter			2
Credit Agreement \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest coverage ratio that the Company must exceed on the last day of the fiscal quarter			300.00%
Credit Agreement \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to capitalization ratio, percentage the Company must not exceed at any time			45.00%
Credit Agreement \| Maximum \| Subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Assets			$ 1,000,000
Credit Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin				2.25%
Credit Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Scenario, Forecast
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin					2.25%
Credit Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin						2.25%
Credit Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin			2.25%
Credit Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin			3.25%
Credit Agreement \| Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin				1.25%
Credit Agreement \| Base Rate \| Scenario, Forecast
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin					1.25%
Credit Agreement \| Base Rate \| Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin						1.25%
Credit Agreement \| Base Rate \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin			1.25%
Credit Agreement \| Base Rate \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin			2.25%
Reimbursement Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding				$ 41,300,000
Reimbursement Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		2.25%
2015 Term Loan Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, frequency of payment and payment terms				The Term Loan Borrowing is payable in quarterly principal installments, together with accrued interest, on each June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31, commencing on June 30, 2015. Each of the first four principal installments is in an amount equal to 2.5% of the Term Loan Borrowing and each successive quarterly installment, until and including June 30, 2017, is in an amount equal to 5.0% of the Term Loan Borrowing, with the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan Borrowing due on the maturity date under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement. The maturity date under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement is September 27, 2017. Loans under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s election, at the per annum rate of LIBOR rate plus 3.25% or base rate plus 2.25%.
Line of credit facility, frequency of payments				Quarterly
Commencement date of principal payments	Jun. 30, 2015
Debt maturity date	Sep. 27, 2017
Credit agreement, financial covenant description				The Company must not permit its debt to capitalization ratio to exceed 45%. The 2015 Term Loan Agreement generally defines the debt to capitalization ratio as the ratio of (a) total borrowed money indebtedness to (b) the sum of such indebtedness plus consolidated net worth, with consolidated net worth determined as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter. The Company also must not permit the interest coverage ratio as of the last day of a fiscal quarter to be less than 3.00 to 1.00. The 2015 Term Loan Agreement generally defines the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of EBITDA of the four prior fiscal quarters to interest charges for the same period. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2015.
Number of compliance covenants \| LegalMatter	2
Line of credit, amount outstanding	$ 200,000,000			$ 190,000,000
Line of credit facility, interest rate				3.625%
Quarterly interest payment, first payment date				June 30
Quarterly interest payment, second payment date				September 30
Quarterly interest payment, third payment date				December 31
Quarterly interest payment, fourth payment date				March 31
2015 Term Loan Agreement \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest coverage ratio that the Company must exceed on the last day of the fiscal quarter	300.00%
2015 Term Loan Agreement \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to capitalization ratio, percentage the Company must not exceed at any time	45.00%
Pro forma ratio of debt to EBITDA	250.00%
2015 Term Loan Agreement \| Maximum \| Subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Assets	$ 1,000,000
2015 Term Loan Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				3.25%
2015 Term Loan Agreement \| Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				2.25%
2015 Term Loan Agreement \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Installment amounts percentage of the original principal amount	2.50%
2015 Term Loan Agreement \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Installment amounts percentage of the original principal amount	5.00%
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, amount outstanding				$ 0
Line of credit, available borrowing capacity				500,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current aggregate borrowing capacity			$ 500,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| Letter of Credit \| Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current aggregate borrowing capacity			150,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| Swing Line Facility \| Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current aggregate borrowing capacity			$ 40,000,000
Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, amount outstanding				$ 75,000,000
Line of credit facility, interest rate				2.625%
Term Loan Facility \| Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current aggregate borrowing capacity								$ 100,000,000
Line of credit facility, frequency of payment and payment terms				The term loan facility is payable in quarterly principal installments, which commenced December 27, 2012. The installment amounts vary from 1.25% of the original principal amount for each of the first four quarterly installments, 2.50% of the original principal amount for each of the subsequent eight quarterly installments, 5.00% of the original principal amount for the subsequent four quarterly installments and 13.75% of the original principal amount for the final four quarterly installments.
Line of credit facility, frequency of payments				Quarterly
Commencement date of principal payments			Dec. 27, 2012
Term Loan Facility \| Credit Agreement \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Installment amounts percentage of the original principal amount			1.25%
Term Loan Facility \| Credit Agreement \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Installment amounts percentage of the original principal amount			2.50%
Term Loan Facility \| Credit Agreement \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Installment amounts percentage of the original principal amount			5.00%
Term Loan Facility \| Credit Agreement \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Installment amounts percentage of the original principal amount			13.75%