Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) segment	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Financial information with respect to reportable segments
Number of reportable segments | segment									5
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Total 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
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities									58,621	(141,937)	(118,335)
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates									1	7	(221,914)
Investment income (loss)									(9,499)	1,194	1,183
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)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(518,794)	(580,084)	(1,198,075)
Income tax expense (benefit)									79,269	(82,970)	(186,831)
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)
ASSETS
Total assets (1)	7,853,944				8,401,984				7,853,944	8,401,984
Assets held for sale	12,250				37,052				12,250	37,052
Equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates, net									(164)	7	(221,914)
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									866,870	842,943	871,631
Capital expenditures and acquisitions of businesses
Capital expenditures									453,435	539,191	414,379
C&J Energy Services, Ltd.
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Impairments and other charges											(216,200)
Operating segment
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities									58,621	(141,937)	(118,335)
Operating segment | U.S. Drilling
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Total operating revenues									1,083,227	805,223	554,072
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities									(21,298)	(213,877)	(197,710)
ASSETS
Total assets (1)	2,982,974				3,203,560				2,982,974	3,203,560
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									394,586	375,171	388,367
Capital expenditures and acquisitions of businesses
Capital expenditures									222,338	330,875	183,146
Operating segment | Canada Drilling
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Total operating revenues									105,000	82,929	51,472
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities									(6,166)	(22,262)	(36,818)
ASSETS
Total assets (1)	252,817				347,773				252,817	347,773
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									37,172	39,597	42,143
Capital expenditures and acquisitions of businesses
Capital expenditures									12,981	17,197	4,546
Operating segment | International Drilling
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Total operating revenues									1,469,038	1,474,060	1,508,890
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities									74,221	108,428	164,677
ASSETS
Total assets (1)	3,320,347				3,540,829				3,320,347	3,540,829
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									383,227	400,753	411,372
Capital expenditures and acquisitions of businesses
Capital expenditures									172,565	159,817	169,640
Operating segment | Drilling Solutions
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Total operating revenues									250,242	140,701	63,759
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities									37,626	16,738	(16,503)
ASSETS
Total assets (1)	281,078				182,162				281,078	182,162
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									31,037	16,188	18,598
Capital expenditures and acquisitions of businesses
Capital expenditures									30,709	35,617	21,606
Operating segment | Rig Technologies
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Total operating revenues									270,988	234,542	151,951
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities									(25,762)	(30,964)	(31,981)
ASSETS
Total assets (1)	401,044				459,665				401,044	459,665
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									16,387	11,530	14,552
Capital expenditures and acquisitions of businesses
Capital expenditures									12,250	4,715	2,003
Other reconciling items (1)
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Total operating revenues									(120,876)	(173,170)	(102,305)
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities									(166,815)	(157,043)	(130,976)
ASSETS
Total assets (1)	$ 615,684				$ 667,995				615,684	667,995
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									4,461	(296)	(3,401)
Capital expenditures and acquisitions of businesses
Capital expenditures									$ 2,592	$ (9,030)	$ 33,438