Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ 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, net	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)	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 dividends	(3,652)	(4,313)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(395,479)	(122,022)
Consolidating Adjustments
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	199,161	6,011
Investment income (loss)	(545)	(528)
Total revenues and other income	198,616	5,483
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	(162)	(174)
Other, net	162	174
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	198,616	5,483
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	198,616	5,483
Net income (loss)	198,616	5,483
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	198,616	5,483
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	198,616	5,483
Parent Company | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(372,641)	(115,046)
Total revenues and other income	(372,641)	(115,046)
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	1,961	2,414
Interest expense, net	17,022
Other, net	171	237
Intercompany interest expense, net	32	12
Total costs and other deductions	19,186	2,663
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(391,827)	(117,709)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(391,827)	(117,709)
Net income (loss)	(391,827)	(117,709)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(391,827)	(117,709)
Less: preferred stock dividends	(3,652)	(4,313)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(395,479)	(122,022)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	92,561	73,918
Total revenues and other income	92,561	73,918
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	237	277
Depreciation and amortization	32	31
Interest expense, net	37,703	52,750
Other, net	(22,852)	(2,667)
Total costs and other deductions	15,120	50,391
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	77,441	23,527
Income tax expense (benefit)	(3,478)	(11,590)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	80,919	35,117
Net income (loss)	80,919	35,117
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	80,919	35,117
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	80,919	35,117
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	718,364	799,640
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates		(5)
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	80,919	35,117
Investment income (loss)	(2,653)	10,205
Total revenues and other income	796,630	844,957
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	461,840	520,957
General and administrative expenses	55,348	65,650
Research and engineering	11,409	13,520
Depreciation and amortization	227,031	210,360
Interest expense, net	(3)	(398)
Impairments and other charges	276,434
Other, net	5,409	19,758
Intercompany interest expense, net	(32)	(12)
Total costs and other deductions	1,037,436	829,835
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(240,806)	15,122
Income tax expense (benefit)	21,171	41,389
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(261,977)	(26,267)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(93)	(157)
Net income (loss)	(262,070)	(26,424)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(17,465)	(14,176)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(279,535)	(40,600)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (279,535)	$ (40,600)