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Document and Entity Information - shares
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Oct. 24, 2019
Cover [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2019  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Trading Symbol PTEN  
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value  
Entity Registrant Name PATTERSON UTI ENERGY INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0000889900  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   194,541,625
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity File Number 0-22664  
Entity Tax Identification Number 75-2504748  
Entity Address, Address Line One 10713 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N  
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 800  
Entity Address, City or Town Houston  
Entity Address, State or Province TX  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 77064  
City Area Code (281)   
Local Phone Number 765-7100