Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 799,640	$ 734,194
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(5)	2
Investment income (loss)	9,677	465
Total revenues and other income	809,312	734,661
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	520,957	475,403
General and administrative expenses	68,167	74,571
Research and engineering	13,520	15,806
Depreciation and amortization	210,391	213,448
Interest expense, net	52,352	61,386
Other, net	17,502	14,089
Total costs and other deductions	882,889	854,703
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(73,577)	(120,042)
Income tax expense (benefit)	29,799	23,545
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(103,376)	(143,587)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(157)	(75)
Net income (loss)	(103,533)	(143,662)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(14,176)	(539)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(117,709)	(144,201)
Less: preferred stock dividends	(4,313)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(122,022)	(144,201)
Consolidating Adjustments
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	6,011	144,365
Investment income (loss)	(528)	(2,981)
Total revenues and other income	5,483	141,384
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	(174)	(169)
Other, net	174	169
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	5,483	141,384
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	5,483	141,384
Net income (loss)	5,483	141,384
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	5,483	141,384
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	5,483	141,384
Parent Company | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(115,046)	(141,825)
Investment income (loss)		2
Total revenues and other income	(115,046)	(141,823)
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	2,414	2,383
Other, net	237	(5)
Intercompany interest expense, net	12
Total costs and other deductions	2,663	2,378
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(117,709)	(144,201)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(117,709)	(144,201)
Net income (loss)	(117,709)	(144,201)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(117,709)	(144,201)
Less: preferred stock dividends	(4,313)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(122,022)	(144,201)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	73,918	23,985
Total revenues and other income	73,918	23,985
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	277	242
Depreciation and amortization	31	30
Interest expense, net	52,750	65,325
Other, net	(2,667)
Total costs and other deductions	50,391	65,597
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	23,527	(41,612)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(11,590)	(15,087)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	35,117	(26,525)
Net income (loss)	35,117	(26,525)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	35,117	(26,525)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	35,117	(26,525)
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	799,640	734,194
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(5)	2
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	35,117	(26,525)
Investment income (loss)	10,205	3,444
Total revenues and other income	844,957	711,115
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	520,957	475,403
General and administrative expenses	65,650	72,115
Research and engineering	13,520	15,806
Depreciation and amortization	210,360	213,418
Interest expense, net	(398)	(3,939)
Other, net	19,758	13,925
Intercompany interest expense, net	(12)
Total costs and other deductions	829,835	786,728
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	15,122	(75,613)
Income tax expense (benefit)	41,389	38,632
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(26,267)	(114,245)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(157)	(75)
Net income (loss)	(26,424)	(114,320)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(14,176)	(539)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(40,600)	(114,859)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (40,600)	$ (114,859)