Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Reportable Segments - Additional Information (Detail)

v2.4.1.9
Reportable Segments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Line Items]    
Number of Reportable Segments 2us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments  
Change in fair value of derivative positions   $ (29,673)us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax
Exxon Neftegas Limited [Member]    
Segment Information [Line Items]    
Percentage of revenue from major customer 22.90%us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1
/ us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis
= pkd_ExxonNeftegasLimitedMember
17.10%us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1
/ us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis
= pkd_ExxonNeftegasLimitedMember
Exxon Neftegas Limited [Member] | International & Alaska Drilling [Member]    
Segment Information [Line Items]    
Percentage of revenue from major customer 41.00%us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1
/ us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis
= pkd_ExxonNeftegasLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= pkd_InternationalAlaskaDrillingMember
39.60%us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1
/ us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis
= pkd_ExxonNeftegasLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= pkd_InternationalAlaskaDrillingMember