CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 718,364	$ 799,640
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates		(5)
Investment income (loss)	(3,198)	9,677
Total revenues and other income	715,166	809,312
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	461,840	520,957
General and administrative expenses	57,384	68,167
Research and engineering	11,409	13,520
Depreciation and amortization	227,063	210,391
Interest expense	54,722	52,352
Impairments and other charges	276,434
Other, net	(17,110)	17,502
Total costs and other deductions	1,071,742	882,889
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(356,576)	(73,577)
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	(7,203)	15,862
Deferred	24,896	13,937
Total income tax expense (benefit)	17,693	29,799
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(374,269)	(103,376)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(93)	(157)
Net income (loss)	(374,362)	(103,533)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(17,465)	(14,176)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(391,827)	(117,709)
Less: Preferred stock dividend	(3,652)	(4,313)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(395,479)	(122,022)
Amounts attributable to Nabors common shareholders:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(395,386)	(121,865)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	(93)	(157)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (395,479)	$ (122,022)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (56.72)	$ (18.11)
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	(0.02)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(56.73)	(18.13)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(56.72)	(18.11)
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	(0.02)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (56.73)	$ (18.13)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	7,051	7,015
Diluted (in shares)	7,051	7,015