CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (198,752)	$ (132,951)	$ (342,953)	$ (281,935)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(5,570)	10,879	(14,913)	14,739
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities		3,785		584
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income (loss)		1,341		1,341
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities		5,126		1,925
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	50	108	100
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	142	153	282	306
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01			(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(5,374)	16,208	(23,667)	17,070
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	48	78	91	157
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(5,422)	16,130	(23,758)	16,913
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(204,174)	(116,821)	(366,711)	(265,022)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,953	1,971	3,492	2,888
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	(63)	108	(159)	157
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,890	2,079	3,333	3,045
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (201,284)	$ (114,742)	$ (363,378)	$ (261,977)