Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information
Operating revenues	$ 714,261	$ 758,076	$ 771,406	$ 799,640	$ 782,080	$ 779,425	$ 761,920	$ 734,194	$ 3,043,383	$ 3,057,619	$ 2,564,285
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(284,533)	(99,788)	(192,801)	(103,376)	(165,551)	(93,710)	(195,215)	(143,587)	(680,498)	(598,063)	(497,114)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	22	157	(34)	(157)	(71)	(13,933)	(584)	(75)	(12)	(14,663)	(43,519)
Net income (loss)	(284,511)	(99,631)	(192,835)	(103,533)	(165,622)	(107,643)	(195,799)	(143,662)	(680,510)	(612,726)	(540,633)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	21,827	(19,297)	(10,729)	(14,176)	(17,796)	(6,934)	(2,953)	(539)	(22,375)	(28,222)	(6,178)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(262,684)	(118,928)	(203,564)	(117,709)	(183,418)	(114,577)	(198,752)	(144,201)	(702,885)	(640,948)	(546,811)
Less: preferred stock dividends	(4,309)	(4,310)	(4,312)	(4,313)	(4,312)	(4,313)	(3,680)		(17,244)	(12,305)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (266,993)	$ (123,238)	$ (207,876)	$ (122,022)	$ (187,730)	$ (118,890)	$ (202,432)	$ (144,201)	$ (720,129)	$ (653,253)	$ (546,811)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.77)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.61)	$ (0.36)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.61)	$ (0.46)	$ (2.11)	$ (1.95)	$ (1.75)
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)						(0.04)				(0.04)	(0.15)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(0.77)	(0.37)	(0.61)	(0.36)	(0.55)	(0.35)	(0.61)	(0.46)	(2.11)	(1.99)	(1.90)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.77)	(0.37)	(0.61)	(0.36)	(0.55)	(0.31)	(0.61)	(0.46)	(2.11)	(1.95)	(1.75)
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)						(0.04)				(0.04)	(0.15)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.77)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.61)	$ (0.36)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.35)	$ (0.61)	$ (0.46)	$ (2.11)	$ (1.99)	$ (1.90)