Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 758,076	$ 779,425	$ 2,329,122	$ 2,275,539
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates			(5)	1
Investment income (loss)	(1,437)	(1,342)	8,709	(4,041)
Total revenues and other income	756,639	778,083	2,337,826	2,271,499
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	475,461	497,194	1,493,082	1,466,572
General and administrative expenses	63,577	66,813	196,159	209,207
Research and engineering	12,004	14,458	37,444	42,703
Depreciation and amortization	221,557	208,517	650,267	640,227
Interest expense, net	51,291	51,415	155,134	173,393
Impairments and other charges	3,629	13,770	106,007	90,434
Other, net	5,005	9,137	30,598	24,163
Total costs and other deductions	832,524	861,304	2,668,691	2,646,699
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(75,885)	(83,221)	(330,865)	(375,200)
Income tax expense (benefit)	23,903	10,489	65,100	57,312
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(99,788)	(93,710)	(395,965)	(432,512)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	157	(13,933)	(34)	(14,592)
Net income (loss)	(99,631)	(107,643)	(395,999)	(447,104)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(19,297)	(6,934)	(44,202)	(10,426)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(118,928)	(114,577)	(440,201)	(457,530)
Less: preferred stock dividends	(4,310)	(4,313)	(12,935)	(7,993)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(123,238)	(118,890)	(453,136)	(465,523)
Consolidating Adjustments
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(34,938)	3,163	(34,266)	271,002
Investment income (loss)	(528)	(3,168)	(1,584)	(9,317)
Total revenues and other income	(35,466)	(5)	(35,850)	261,685
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	(350)	10	(874)	(498)
Other, net	350	(10)	874	498
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(35,466)	(5)	(35,850)	261,685
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(35,466)	(5)	(35,850)	261,685
Net income (loss)	(35,466)	(5)	(35,850)	261,685
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(35,466)	(5)	(35,850)	261,685
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(35,466)	(5)	(35,850)	261,685
Parent Company | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(116,696)	(112,066)	(432,995)	(448,485)
Investment income (loss)				2
Total revenues and other income	(116,696)	(112,066)	(432,995)	(448,483)
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	1,894	2,294	6,292	7,531
Other, net	300	206	816	1,405
Intercompany interest expense, net	38	11	98	111
Total costs and other deductions	2,232	2,511	7,206	9,047
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(118,928)	(114,577)	(440,201)	(457,530)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(118,928)	(114,577)	(440,201)	(457,530)
Net income (loss)	(118,928)	(114,577)	(440,201)	(457,530)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(118,928)	(114,577)	(440,201)	(457,530)
Less: preferred stock dividends	(4,310)	(4,313)	(12,935)	(7,993)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(123,238)	(118,890)	(453,136)	(465,523)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	96,069	78,395	292,602	161,420
Total revenues and other income	96,069	78,395	292,602	161,420
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	3		3
General and administrative expenses	163	94	577	493
Depreciation and amortization	31	31	94	93
Interest expense, net	51,691	51,590	156,515	177,713
Impairments and other charges		10,476		10,476
Other, net	714		(4,017)
Total costs and other deductions	52,602	62,191	153,172	188,775
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	43,467	16,204	139,430	(27,355)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(12,098)	(14,304)	(35,229)	(43,418)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	55,565	30,508	174,659	16,063
Net income (loss)	55,565	30,508	174,659	16,063
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	55,565	30,508	174,659	16,063
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	55,565	30,508	174,659	16,063
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	758,076	779,425	2,329,122	2,275,539
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates			(5)	1
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	55,565	30,508	174,659	16,063
Investment income (loss)	(909)	1,826	10,293	5,274
Total revenues and other income	812,732	811,759	2,514,069	2,296,877
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	475,458	497,194	1,493,079	1,466,572
General and administrative expenses	61,870	64,415	190,164	201,681
Research and engineering	12,004	14,458	37,444	42,703
Depreciation and amortization	221,526	208,486	650,173	640,134
Interest expense, net	(400)	(175)	(1,381)	(4,320)
Impairments and other charges	3,629	3,294	106,007	79,958
Other, net	3,641	8,941	32,925	22,260
Intercompany interest expense, net	(38)	(11)	(98)	(111)
Total costs and other deductions	777,690	796,602	2,508,313	2,448,877
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	35,042	15,157	5,756	(152,000)
Income tax expense (benefit)	36,001	24,793	100,329	100,730
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(959)	(9,636)	(94,573)	(252,730)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	157	(13,933)	(34)	(14,592)
Net income (loss)	(802)	(23,569)	(94,607)	(267,322)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(19,297)	(6,934)	(44,202)	(10,426)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(20,099)	(30,503)	(138,809)	(277,748)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (20,099)	$ (30,503)	$ (138,809)	$ (277,748)