CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (148,532)	$ (111,211)	$ (430,467)	$ (694,155)
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	16,444	(8,950)	31,183	27,870
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	(5,706)	1,502	(5,122)	3,551
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income (loss)		3,495	1,341	3,495
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	(5,706)	4,997	(3,781)	7,046
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	50	297	150	765
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	153	153	459	459
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	10,941	(3,503)	28,011	36,140
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	78	172	235	472
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	10,863	(3,675)	27,776	35,668
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(137,669)	(114,886)	(402,691)	(658,487)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,113	1,185	5,001	(990)
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	160	(90)	317	371
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,273	1,095	5,318	(619)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (135,396)	$ (113,791)	$ (397,373)	$ (659,106)