Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (118,928)	$ (114,577)	$ (440,201)	$ (457,530)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(3,225)	5,309	12,314	(9,604)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	54	162	162
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	142	143	424	425
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges.	142		424
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01				(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(3,029)	5,506	12,900	(18,161)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	48	48	142	139
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3,077)	5,458	12,758	(18,300)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(122,005)	(109,119)	(427,443)	(475,830)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	19,297	6,934	44,202	10,426
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4)	58	55	(101)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	19,293	6,992	44,257	10,325
Comprehensive income (loss)	(102,712)	(102,127)	(383,186)	(465,505)
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(35,466)	(5)	(35,850)	261,685
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	3,225	(5,309)	(12,315)	9,604
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	(162)	(162)	(486)	(486)
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges		(286)		(850)
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges.	(284)		(848)
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01				9,144
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	2,779	(5,757)	(13,649)	17,412
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(144)	(144)	(426)	(417)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,923	(5,613)	(13,223)	17,829
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(32,543)	(5,618)	(49,073)	279,514
Comprehensive income (loss)	(32,543)	(5,618)	(49,073)	279,514
Parent Company | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(118,928)	(114,577)	(440,201)	(457,530)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(3,225)	5,309	12,314	(9,604)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	54	162	162
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges		143		425
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges.	142		424
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01				(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(3,029)	5,506	12,900	(18,161)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	48	48	142	139
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3,077)	5,458	12,758	(18,300)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(122,005)	(109,119)	(427,443)	(475,830)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(122,005)	(109,119)	(427,443)	(475,830)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	55,565	30,508	174,659	16,063
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors			1
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	54	162	162
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges		143		425
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges.	142		424
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	196	197	587	587
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	48	48	142	139
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	148	149	445	448
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	55,713	30,657	175,104	16,511
Comprehensive income (loss)	55,713	30,657	175,104	16,511
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(20,099)	(30,503)	(138,809)	(277,748)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(3,225)	5,309	12,314	(9,604)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	108	108	324	324
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges		143		425
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges.	142		424
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01				(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(2,975)	5,560	13,062	(17,999)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	96	96	284	278
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3,071)	5,464	12,778	(18,277)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(23,170)	(25,039)	(126,031)	(296,025)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	19,297	6,934	44,202	10,426
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4)	58	55	(101)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	19,293	6,992	44,257	10,325
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (3,877)	$ (18,047)	$ (81,774)	$ (285,700)