Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Values and Related Carrying Values of Debt Instruments (Detail)

v2.4.1.9
Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Values and Related Carrying Values of Debt Instruments (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying Amount [Member]    
Long-term Debt    
Long-term Debt $ 585,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
$ 650,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Carrying Amount [Member] | 6.75 % Senior Notes [Member]    
Long-term Debt    
Long-term Debt 360,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= pkd_A6.75SeniorNotesMember
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= pkd_A6.75SeniorNotesMember
Carrying Amount [Member] | 7.50% Senior Notes, due August 2020 (Issued July 30, 2013) [Member]    
Long-term Debt    
Long-term Debt 225,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= pkd_A7.50SeniorNotesdueAugust2020Member
225,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= pkd_A7.50SeniorNotesdueAugust2020Member
Carrying Amount [Member] | 9.125% Senior Notes, due April 2018 (Issued April 25, 2012) [Member]    
Long-term Debt    
Long-term Debt 0us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= pkd_A9.125SeniorNotesdueApril20181Member
425,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= pkd_A9.125SeniorNotesdueApril20181Member
Fair Value [Member]    
Long-term Debt    
Long-term Debt 450,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
682,500us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Fair Value [Member] | 6.75 % Senior Notes [Member]    
Long-term Debt    
Long-term Debt 270,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= pkd_A6.75SeniorNotesMember
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= pkd_A6.75SeniorNotesMember
Fair Value [Member] | 7.50% Senior Notes, due August 2020 (Issued July 30, 2013) [Member]    
Long-term Debt    
Long-term Debt 180,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= pkd_A7.50SeniorNotesdueAugust2020Member
236,250us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= pkd_A7.50SeniorNotesdueAugust2020Member
Fair Value [Member] | 9.125% Senior Notes, due April 2018 (Issued April 25, 2012) [Member]    
Long-term Debt    
Long-term Debt $ 0us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= pkd_A9.125SeniorNotesdueApril20181Member
$ 446,250us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= pkd_A9.125SeniorNotesdueApril20181Member