Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 533,931	$ 771,406	$ 1,252,295	$ 1,571,046
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates				(5)
Investment income (loss)	2,036	469	(1,162)	10,146
Total revenues and other income	535,967	771,875	1,251,133	1,581,187
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	326,557	496,664	788,397	1,017,621
General and administrative expenses	46,244	64,415	103,628	132,582
Research and engineering	7,305	11,920	18,714	25,440
Depreciation and amortization	211,120	218,319	438,183	428,710
Interest expense, net	51,206	51,491	105,928	103,843
Impairments and other charges	57,852	102,570	334,286	99,903
Other, net	(30,795)	7,899	(47,905)	28,068
Total costs and other deductions	669,489	953,278	1,741,231	1,836,167
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(133,522)	(181,403)	(490,098)	(254,980)
Income tax expense (benefit)	4,446	11,398	22,139	41,197
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(137,968)	(192,801)	(512,237)	(296,177)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	23	(34)	(70)	(191)
Net income (loss)	(137,945)	(192,835)	(512,307)	(296,368)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(10,167)	(10,729)	(27,632)	(24,905)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(148,112)	(203,564)	(539,939)	(321,273)
Less: preferred stock dividends	(3,653)	(4,312)	(7,305)	(8,625)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (151,765)	$ (207,876)	$ (547,244)	$ (329,898)