CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 562,550	$ 597,571
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	2	(167,151)
Investment income (loss)	721	343
Total revenues and other income	563,273	430,763
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	387,644	365,023
General and administrative expenses	63,409	62,334
Research and engineering	11,757	8,162
Depreciation and amortization	203,672	215,818
Interest expense	56,518	45,730
Other, net	13,510	182,404
Total costs and other deductions	736,510	879,471
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(173,237)	(448,708)
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	22,689	14,825
Deferred	(48,298)	(66,889)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	(25,609)	(52,064)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(147,628)	(396,644)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(439)	(926)
Net income (loss)	(148,067)	(397,570)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(917)	(724)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(148,984)	(398,294)
Amounts attributable to Nabors:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(148,545)	(397,368)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	(439)	(926)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (148,984)	$ (398,294)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.52)	$ (1.41)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(0.52)	(1.41)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.52)	(1.41)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.52)	$ (1.41)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	277,781	275,851
Diluted (in shares)	277,781	275,851
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.06