Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v2.4.0.8
Document and Entity Information
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Aug. 04, 2014
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Jun. 30, 2014  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2014  
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   121,742,165