Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.7.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
May 01, 2017
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2017  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017  
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 Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   137,830,679