Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.8.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Jul. 31, 2017
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2017  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
Trading Symbol PKD  
Entity Registrant Name PARKER DRILLING CO /DE/  
Entity Central Index Key 0000076321  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   138,896,697