CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 2,564,285	$ 2,227,839	$ 3,864,437
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	7	(221,914)	(75,081)
Investment income (loss)	1,194	1,183	2,308
Total revenues and other income	2,565,486	2,007,108	3,791,664
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	1,718,069	1,344,298	2,371,436
General and administrative expenses	251,184	227,639	324,328
Research and engineering	51,069	33,582	41,253
Depreciation and amortization	842,943	871,631	970,459
Interest expense	222,889	185,360	181,928
Impairments and other charges	44,536	498,499	368,967
Other, net	14,880	44,174	(39,172)
Total costs and other deductions	3,145,570	3,205,183	4,219,199
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(580,084)	(1,198,075)	(427,535)
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	(102,080)	14,780	89,865
Deferred	19,110	(201,611)	(187,903)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	(82,970)	(186,831)	(98,038)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(497,114)	(1,011,244)	(329,497)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(43,519)	(18,363)	(42,797)
Net income (loss)	(540,633)	(1,029,607)	(372,294)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(6,178)	(135)	(381)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(546,811)	(1,029,742)	(372,675)
Amounts attributable to Nabors:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(503,292)	(1,011,379)	(329,878)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	(43,519)	(18,363)	(42,797)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (546,811)	$ (1,029,742)	$ (372,675)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.75)	$ (3.58)	$ (1.14)
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.15)	(0.06)	(0.15)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(1.90)	(3.64)	(1.29)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(1.75)	(3.58)	(1.14)
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.15)	(0.06)	(0.15)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.90)	$ (3.64)	$ (1.29)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	280,653	276,475	282,982
Diluted (in shares)	280,653	276,475	282,982
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.24	$ 0.24