Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.19.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
May 06, 2019
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2019  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
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 small business true  
Entity emerging growth company false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   15,044,739
Amendment Flag false