Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information
Operating revenues	$ 782,080	$ 779,425	$ 761,920	$ 734,194	$ 708,277	$ 662,103	$ 631,355	$ 562,550	$ 3,057,619	$ 2,564,285	$ 2,227,839
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(165,551)	(93,710)	(195,215)	(143,587)	(114,725)	(119,285)	(115,476)	(147,628)	(598,063)	(497,114)	(1,011,244)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(71)	(13,933)	(584)	(75)	(442)	(27,134)	(15,504)	(439)	(14,663)	(43,519)	(18,363)
Net income (loss)	(165,622)	(107,643)	(195,799)	(143,662)	(115,167)	(146,419)	(130,980)	(148,067)	(612,726)	(540,633)	(1,029,607)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(17,796)	(6,934)	(2,953)	(539)	(1,177)	(2,113)	(1,971)	(917)	(28,222)	(6,178)	(135)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(183,418)	(114,577)	(198,752)	(144,201)	(116,344)	(148,532)	(132,951)	(148,984)	(640,948)	(546,811)	(1,029,742)
Less: preferred stock dividends	(4,312)	(4,313)	(3,680)						(12,305)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (187,730)	$ (118,890)	$ (202,432)	$ (144,201)	$ (116,344)	$ (148,532)	$ (132,951)	$ (148,984)	$ 653,253	$ 546,811	$ 1,029,742
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.61)	$ (0.46)	$ (0.40)	$ (0.42)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.52)	$ (1.95)	$ (1.75)	$ (3.58)
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		(0.04)				(0.10)	(0.05)		(0.04)	(0.15)	(0.06)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(0.55)	(0.35)	(0.61)	(0.46)	(0.40)	(0.52)	(0.46)	(0.52)	(1.99)	(1.90)	(3.64)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.55)	(0.31)	(0.61)	(0.46)	(0.40)	(0.42)	(0.41)	(0.52)	(1.95)	(1.75)	(3.58)
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		(0.04)				(0.10)	(0.05)		(0.04)	(0.15)	(0.06)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.35)	$ (0.61)	$ (0.46)	$ (0.40)	$ (0.52)	$ (0.46)	$ (0.52)	$ (1.99)	$ (1.90)	$ (3.64)