Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (117,709)	$ (144,201)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	9,190	(9,343)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	54
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	140	140
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01		(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	9,384	(18,293)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	46	43
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	9,338	(18,336)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(108,371)	(162,537)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	14,176	539
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	52	(96)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	14,228	443
Comprehensive income (loss)	(94,143)	(162,094)
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	5,483	141,384
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(9,186)	9,343
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	(162)	(162)
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	(280)	(280)
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01		9,144
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(9,628)	18,045
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(138)	(129)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(9,490)	18,174
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(4,007)	159,558
Comprehensive income (loss)	(4,007)	159,558
Parent Company | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(117,709)	(144,201)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	9,190	(9,343)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	54
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	140	140
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01		(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	9,384	(18,293)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	46	43
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	9,338	(18,336)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(108,371)	(162,537)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(108,371)	(162,537)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	35,117	(26,525)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(4)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	54
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	140	140
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	190	194
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	46	43
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	144	151
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	35,261	(26,374)
Comprehensive income (loss)	35,261	(26,374)
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(40,600)	(114,859)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	9,190	(9,343)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	108	108
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	140	140
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01		(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	9,438	(18,239)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	92	86
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	9,346	(18,325)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(31,254)	(133,184)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	14,176	539
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	52	(96)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	14,228	443
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (17,026)	$ (132,741)