CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (148,984)	$ (398,294)
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors
Unrealized gain (loss) on translation adjustment	3,860	33,362
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	3,860	33,362
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	(3,201)	769
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	(3,201)	769
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	50	174
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	153	153
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	862	34,458
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	79	129
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	783	34,329
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(148,201)	(363,965)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	917	724
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	49	419
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	966	1,143
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (147,235)	$ (362,822)