Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 771,406	$ 761,920	$ 1,571,046	$ 1,496,114
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates		(1)	(5)	1
Investment income (loss)	469	(3,164)	10,146	(2,699)
Total revenues and other income	771,875	758,755	1,581,187	1,493,416
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	496,664	493,975	1,017,621	969,378
General and administrative expenses	64,415	67,823	132,582	142,394
Research and engineering	11,920	12,439	25,440	28,245
Depreciation and amortization	218,319	218,262	428,710	431,710
Interest expense, net	51,491	60,592	103,843	121,978
Impairments and other charges	102,570	69,620	99,903	76,664
Other, net	7,899	7,981	28,068	15,026
Total costs and other deductions	953,278	930,692	1,836,167	1,785,395
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(181,403)	(171,937)	(254,980)	(291,979)
Income tax expense (benefit)	11,398	23,278	41,197	46,823
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(192,801)	(195,215)	(296,177)	(338,802)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(34)	(584)	(191)	(659)
Net income (loss)	(192,835)	(195,799)	(296,368)	(339,461)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(10,729)	(2,953)	(24,905)	(3,492)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(203,564)	(198,752)	(321,273)	(342,953)
Less: preferred stock dividends	(4,312)	(3,680)	(8,625)	(3,680)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(207,876)	(202,432)	(329,898)	(346,633)
Consolidating Adjustments
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(5,339)	123,474	672	267,839
Investment income (loss)	(528)	(3,168)	(1,056)	(6,149)
Total revenues and other income	(5,867)	120,306	(384)	261,690
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	(350)	(339)	(524)	(508)
Other, net	350	339	524	508
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(5,867)	120,306	(384)	261,690
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(5,867)	120,306	(384)	261,690
Net income (loss)	(5,867)	120,306	(384)	261,690
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(5,867)	120,306	(384)	261,690
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(5,867)	120,306	(384)	261,690
Parent Company | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(201,253)	(194,594)	(316,299)	(336,419)
Investment income (loss)				2
Total revenues and other income	(201,253)	(194,594)	(316,299)	(336,417)
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	1,984	2,854	4,398	5,237
Other, net	279	1,204	516	1,199
Intercompany interest expense, net	48	100	60	100
Total costs and other deductions	2,311	4,158	4,974	6,536
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(203,564)	(198,752)	(321,273)	(342,953)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(203,564)	(198,752)	(321,273)	(342,953)
Net income (loss)	(203,564)	(198,752)	(321,273)	(342,953)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(203,564)	(198,752)	(321,273)	(342,953)
Less: preferred stock dividends	(4,312)	(3,680)	(8,625)	(3,680)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(207,876)	(202,432)	(329,898)	(346,633)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	122,615	59,040	196,533	83,025
Total revenues and other income	122,615	59,040	196,533	83,025
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	137	157	414	399
Depreciation and amortization	32	32	63	62
Interest expense, net	52,074	60,798	104,824	126,123
Other, net	(2,064)		(4,731)
Total costs and other deductions	50,179	60,987	100,570	126,584
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	72,436	(1,947)	95,963	(43,559)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(11,541)	(14,027)	(23,131)	(29,114)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	83,977	12,080	119,094	(14,445)
Net income (loss)	83,977	12,080	119,094	(14,445)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	83,977	12,080	119,094	(14,445)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	83,977	12,080	119,094	(14,445)
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	771,406	761,920	1,571,046	1,496,114
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates		(1)	(5)	1
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	83,977	12,080	119,094	(14,445)
Investment income (loss)	997	4	11,202	3,448
Total revenues and other income	856,380	774,003	1,701,337	1,485,118
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	496,664	493,975	1,017,621	969,378
General and administrative expenses	62,644	65,151	128,294	137,266
Research and engineering	11,920	12,439	25,440	28,245
Depreciation and amortization	218,287	218,230	428,647	431,648
Interest expense, net	(583)	(206)	(981)	(4,145)
Impairments and other charges	102,570	69,620	99,903	76,664
Other, net	9,334	6,438	31,759	13,319
Intercompany interest expense, net	(48)	(100)	(60)	(100)
Total costs and other deductions	900,788	865,547	1,730,623	1,652,275
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(44,408)	(91,544)	(29,286)	(167,157)
Income tax expense (benefit)	22,939	37,305	64,328	75,937
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(67,347)	(128,849)	(93,614)	(243,094)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(34)	(584)	(191)	(659)
Net income (loss)	(67,381)	(129,433)	(93,805)	(243,753)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(10,729)	(2,953)	(24,905)	(3,492)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(78,110)	(132,386)	(118,710)	(247,245)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (78,110)	$ (132,386)	$ (118,710)	$ (247,245)