Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (203,564)	$ (198,752)	$ (321,273)	$ (342,953)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	6,349	(5,570)	15,539	(14,913)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	54	108	108
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	142	142	282	282
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges.	142		282
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01				(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	6,545	(5,374)	15,929	(23,667)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	48	48	94	91
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	6,497	(5,422)	15,835	(23,758)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(197,067)	(204,174)	(305,438)	(366,711)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	10,729	2,953	24,905	3,492
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	7	(63)	59	(159)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	10,736	2,890	24,964	3,333
Comprehensive income (loss)	(186,331)	(201,284)	(280,474)	(363,378)
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(5,867)	120,306	(384)	261,690
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(6,349)	5,570	(15,537)	14,913
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	(162)	(162)	(324)	(324)
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges		(284)		(564)
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges.	(284)		(564)
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01				9,144
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(6,795)	5,124	(16,425)	23,169
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(144)	(144)	(282)	(273)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(6,651)	5,268	(16,143)	23,442
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(12,518)	125,574	(16,527)	285,132
Comprehensive income (loss)	(12,518)	125,574	(16,527)	285,132
Parent Company | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(203,564)	(198,752)	(321,273)	(342,953)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	6,349	(5,570)	15,539	(14,913)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	54	108	108
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges		142		282
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges.	142		282
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01				(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	6,545	(5,374)	15,929	(23,667)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	48	48	94	91
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	6,497	(5,422)	15,835	(23,758)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(197,067)	(204,174)	(305,438)	(366,711)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(197,067)	(204,174)	(305,438)	(366,711)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	83,977	12,080	119,094	(14,445)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors			(2)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	54	108	108
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges		142		282
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges.	142		282
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	196	196	388	390
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	48	48	94	91
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	148	148	294	299
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	84,125	12,228	119,388	(14,146)
Comprehensive income (loss)	84,125	12,228	119,388	(14,146)
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(78,110)	(132,386)	(118,710)	(247,245)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	6,349	(5,570)	15,539	(14,913)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	108	108	216	216
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges		142		282
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges.	142		282
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01				(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	6,599	(5,320)	16,037	(23,559)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	96	96	188	182
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	6,503	(5,416)	15,849	(23,741)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(71,607)	(137,802)	(102,861)	(270,986)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	10,729	2,953	24,905	3,492
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	7	(63)	59	(159)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	10,736	2,890	24,964	3,333
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (60,871)	$ (134,912)	$ (77,897)	$ (267,653)