Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (391,827)	$ (117,709)
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(17,365)	9,190
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	51	54
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	143	140
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(17,171)	9,384
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	47	46
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(17,218)	9,338
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(409,045)	(108,371)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	17,465	14,176
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest		52
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	17,465	14,228
Comprehensive income (loss)	(391,580)	(94,143)
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	198,616	5,483
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	17,353	(9,186)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	(153)	(162)
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	(286)	(280)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	16,914	(9,628)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(141)	(138)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	17,055	(9,490)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	215,671	(4,007)
Comprehensive income (loss)	215,671	(4,007)
Parent Company | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(391,827)	(117,709)
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(17,365)	9,190
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	51	54
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	143	140
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(17,171)	9,384
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	47	46
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(17,218)	9,338
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(409,045)	(108,371)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(409,045)	(108,371)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	80,919	35,117
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	12	(4)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	51	54
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	143	140
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	206	190
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	47	46
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	159	144
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	81,078	35,261
Comprehensive income (loss)	81,078	35,261
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(279,535)	(40,600)
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(17,365)	9,190
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	102	108
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	143	140
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(17,120)	9,438
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	94	92
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(17,214)	9,346
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(296,749)	(31,254)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	17,465	14,176
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest		52
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	17,465	14,228
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (279,284)	$ (17,026)