CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 3,043,383	$ 3,057,619	$ 2,564,285
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(5)	1	7
Investment income (loss)	10,218	(9,499)	1,194
Total revenues and other income	3,053,596	3,048,121	2,565,486
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	1,929,331	1,976,974	1,718,069
General and administrative expenses	258,731	265,822	251,184
Research and engineering	50,359	56,147	51,069
Depreciation and amortization	876,091	866,870	842,943
Interest expense	204,311	227,124	222,889
Impairments and other charges	290,471	144,446	44,536
Other, net	33,224	29,532	14,880
Total costs and other deductions	3,642,518	3,566,915	3,145,570
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(588,922)	(518,794)	(580,084)
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	55,625	2,388	(102,080)
Deferred	35,951	76,881	19,110
Total income tax expense (benefit)	91,576	79,269	(82,970)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(680,498)	(598,063)	(497,114)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(12)	(14,663)	(43,519)
Net income (loss)	(680,510)	(612,726)	(540,633)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(22,375)	(28,222)	(6,178)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(702,885)	(640,948)	(546,811)
Less: Preferred stock dividend	(17,244)	(12,305)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(720,129)	(653,253)	(546,811)
Amounts attributable to Nabors common shareholders:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(720,117)	(638,590)	(503,292)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	(12)	(14,663)	(43,519)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (720,129)	$ (653,253)	$ (546,811)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (2.11)	$ (1.95)	$ (1.75)
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		(0.04)	(0.15)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(2.11)	(1.99)	(1.90)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(2.11)	(1.95)	(1.75)
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		(0.04)	(0.15)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (2.11)	$ (1.99)	$ (1.90)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	351,617	334,397	280,653
Diluted (in shares)	351,617	334,397	280,653