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

Credit agreement amendment date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_CreditAgreementAmendmentDate
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt service coverage ratio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_DebtServiceCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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

Maximum cash balance allowed after borrowing unless proceeds used for acquisition, capital expenditures and repurchase of indebtedness.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pten_MaximumCashBalanceAllowedAfterBorrowingUnlessProceedsUsedForAcquisitionCapitalExpendituresAndRepurchaseOfIndebtedness
Namespace Prefix:	pten_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum percentage allowed to invest in foreign subsidiaries or joint ventures on book value basis.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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

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 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(12))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: 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(11))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ 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

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

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-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 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 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

+ Details

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

- Definition

Identification of whether the entity has been in compliance with any credit facility debt covenants during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 2: 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(13))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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(19)(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: 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_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantCompliance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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

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

Date the credit facility first became available, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInitiationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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

- Definition

The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3255-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

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

- 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_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_StatementScenarioAxis=pten_UntilTwentySevenSeptemberTwoThousandSeventeenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=pten_BeginningTwentySevenSeptemberTwoThousandSeventeenMember
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_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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_DebtInstrumentAxis=pten_AmendedCreditAgreementMember
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:

Long Term Debt - Credit Facilities - Additional Information (Detail)				9 Months Ended
	Jul. 08, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 16, 2015	Sep. 27, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) Covenant	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 18, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 600,000,000
Aggregate amount by which the revolving credit facility can be increased	100,000,000
Debt maturity date				Sep. 27, 2017
Proceeds from long-term debt					$ 200,000,000
Total assets				$ 3,908,873,000				$ 4,529,484,000
Letters of credit outstanding				38,200,000
Maximum \| Subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total assets				1,000,000
Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, amount outstanding				$ 0
Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit agreement date				Sep. 27, 2012
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 40%. 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, 2016
Credit agreement, financial covenant compliance				The Company was in compliance with these covenants
Number of compliance covenants \| Covenant				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				40.00%
Credit Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				2.75%
Credit Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Scenario Forecast
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin						2.75%
Credit Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin							2.75%
Credit Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Minimum \| Until September 27, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				2.75%
Credit Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Minimum \| Beginning September 27, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				3.25%
Credit Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Maximum \| Until September 27, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				3.25%
Credit Agreement \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Maximum \| Beginning September 27, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				3.75%
Credit Agreement \| Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				1.75%
Credit Agreement \| Base Rate \| Scenario Forecast
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin						1.75%
Credit Agreement \| Base Rate \| Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin							1.75%
Credit Agreement \| Base Rate \| Minimum \| Until September 27, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				1.75%
Credit Agreement \| Base Rate \| Minimum \| Beginning September 27, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				2.25%
Credit Agreement \| Base Rate \| Maximum \| Until September 27, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				2.25%
Credit Agreement \| Base Rate \| Maximum \| Beginning September 27, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				2.75%
Credit Agreement \| Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			$ 500,000,000
Credit Agreement \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	50,000,000
Credit Agreement \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Swing Line Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	20,000,000
Credit Agreement \| Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from long-term debt			$ 100,000,000
Line of credit facility, frequency of payments				Quarterly
Amended Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit agreement amendment date				Jul. 08, 2016
Debt maturity date				Mar. 27, 2019
Line of credit, amount outstanding	$ 357,900,000			$ 15,000,000
Maximum percentage allowed to invest in foreign subsidiaries or joint ventures on book value basis	20.00%
Maximum cash balance allowed	$ 100,000,000
Amended Credit Agreement \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio	150.00%
Amended Credit Agreement \| Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, weighted average interest rate				4.00%
Line of credit, available borrowing capacity				$ 317,000,000
Reimbursement Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding				$ 38,200,000
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, amount outstanding									$ 200,000,000
Line of credit facility, frequency of payments				Quarterly
Line of credit facility, frequency of payment and payment terms				The Term Loan Borrowing was payable in quarterly principal installments, together with accrued interest. Loans under the 2015 Term Loan Agreement bore interest, at the Company’s election, at the per annum rate of LIBOR rate plus 3.25% or base rate plus 2.25%.
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%