CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (144,201)	$ (148,984)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(9,343)	3,860
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities		(3,201)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	50
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	140	153
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01	(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(18,293)	862
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	43	79
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(18,336)	783
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(162,537)	(148,201)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	539	917
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	(96)	49
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	443	966
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (162,094)	$ (147,235)