CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 3,057,619	$ 2,564,285	$ 2,227,839
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	1	7	(221,914)
Investment income (loss)	(9,499)	1,194	1,183
Total revenues and other income	3,048,121	2,565,486	2,007,108
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	1,976,974	1,718,069	1,344,298
General and administrative expenses	265,822	251,184	227,639
Research and engineering	56,147	51,069	33,582
Depreciation and amortization	866,870	842,943	871,631
Interest expense	227,124	222,889	185,360
Impairments and other charges	144,446	44,536	498,499
Other, net	29,532	14,880	44,174
Total costs and other deductions	3,566,915	3,145,570	3,205,183
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(518,794)	(580,084)	(1,198,075)
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	2,388	(102,080)	14,780
Deferred	76,881	19,110	(201,611)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	79,269	(82,970)	(186,831)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(598,063)	(497,114)	(1,011,244)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(14,663)	(43,519)	(18,363)
Net income (loss)	(612,726)	(540,633)	(1,029,607)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(28,222)	(6,178)	(135)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(640,948)	(546,811)	(1,029,742)
Less: Preferred stock dividend	(12,305)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(653,253)	(546,811)	(1,029,742)
Amounts attributable to Nabors common shareholders:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(638,590)	(503,292)	(1,011,379)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	(14,663)	(43,519)	(18,363)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (653,253)	$ (546,811)	$ (1,029,742)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.95)	$ (1.75)	$ (3.58)
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.04)	(0.15)	(0.06)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(1.99)	(1.90)	(3.64)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(1.95)	(1.75)	(3.58)
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.04)	(0.15)	(0.06)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.99)	$ (1.90)	$ (3.64)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	334,397	280,653	276,475
Diluted (in shares)	334,397	280,653	276,475