CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues and other income
Operating revenues	$ 2,227,839	$ 3,864,437	$ 6,804,197
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(221,914)	(75,081)	(6,301)
Investment income (loss)	1,183	2,308	11,831
Total revenues and other income	2,007,108	3,791,664	6,809,727
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	1,344,298	2,371,436	4,505,064
General and administrative expenses	227,639	324,328	500,036
Research and Engineering	33,582	41,253	49,698
Depreciation and amortization	871,631	970,459	1,145,100
Interest expense	185,360	181,928	177,948
Impairment and other charges	505,164	368,967	1,005,110
Other, net	37,509	(39,172)	31,386
Total costs and other deductions	3,205,183	4,219,199	7,414,342
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(1,198,075)	(427,535)	(604,615)
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	14,780	89,865	302,313
Deferred	(201,611)	(187,903)	(239,647)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	(186,831)	(98,038)	62,666
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend			1,984
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(1,011,244)	(329,497)	(669,265)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(18,363)	(42,797)	21
Net income (loss)	(1,029,607)	(372,294)	(669,244)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(135)	(381)	(1,415)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(1,029,742)	(372,675)	(670,659)
Amounts attributable to Nabors:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(1,011,379)	(329,878)	(670,680)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	(18,363)	(42,797)	21
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (1,029,742)	$ (372,675)	$ (670,659)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (3.58)	$ (1.14)	$ (2.28)
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.06)	(0.15)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(3.64)	(1.29)	(2.28)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(3.58)	(1.14)	(2.28)
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.06)	(0.15)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (3.64)	$ (1.29)	$ (2.28)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	276,475	282,982	290,694
Diluted (in shares)	276,475	282,982	290,694