CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (114,577)	$ (148,532)	$ (457,530)	$ (430,467)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	5,309	16,444	(9,604)	31,183
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities		(5,706)		(5,122)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income (loss)				1,341
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities		(5,706)		(3,781)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	50	162	150
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	143	153	425	459
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01			(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	5,506	10,941	(18,161)	28,011
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	48	78	139	235
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	5,458	10,863	(18,300)	27,776
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(109,119)	(137,669)	(475,830)	(402,691)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	6,934	2,113	10,426	5,001
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	58	160	(101)	317
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	6,992	2,273	10,325	5,318
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (102,127)	$ (135,396)	$ (465,505)	$ (397,373)