Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (148,112)	$ (203,564)	$ (539,939)	$ (321,273)
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	6,671	6,349	(10,694)	15,539
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	52	54	104	108
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	142	142	284	282
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	6,865	6,545	(10,306)	15,929
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	47	48	94	94
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	6,818	6,497	(10,400)	15,835
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(141,294)	(197,067)	(550,339)	(305,438)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	10,167	10,729	27,632	24,905
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest		7		59
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	10,167	10,736	27,632	24,964
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (131,127)	$ (186,331)	$ (522,707)	$ (280,474)

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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