CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 438,352	$ 758,076	$ 1,690,647	$ 2,329,122
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates				(5)
Investment income (loss)	(742)	(1,437)	(1,904)	8,709
Total revenues and other income	437,610	756,639	1,688,743	2,337,826
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	270,397	475,461	1,058,794	1,493,082
General and administrative expenses	46,168	63,577	149,796	196,159
Research and engineering	7,565	12,004	26,279	37,444
Depreciation and amortization	206,862	221,557	645,045	650,267
Interest expense	52,403	51,291	158,331	155,134
Impairments and other charges	5,017	3,629	339,303	106,007
Other, net	(425)	5,005	(48,330)	30,598
Total costs and other deductions	587,987	832,524	2,329,218	2,668,691
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(150,377)	(75,885)	(640,475)	(330,865)
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	1,450	18,117	(6,089)	50,483
Deferred	(5,145)	5,786	24,533	14,617
Total income tax expense (benefit)	(3,695)	23,903	18,444	65,100
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(146,682)	(99,788)	(658,919)	(395,965)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	22	157	(48)	(34)
Net income (loss)	(146,660)	(99,631)	(658,967)	(395,999)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(10,805)	(19,297)	(38,437)	(44,202)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(157,465)	(118,928)	(697,404)	(440,201)
Less: Preferred stock dividend	(3,653)	(4,310)	(10,958)	(12,935)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(161,118)	(123,238)	(708,362)	(453,136)
Amounts attributable to Nabors common shareholders:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(161,140)	(123,395)	(708,314)	(453,102)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	22	157	(48)	(34)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (161,118)	$ (123,238)	$ (708,362)	$ (453,136)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (23.42)	$ (18.27)	$ (102.25)	$ (66.70)
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		0.02	(0.01)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(23.42)	(18.25)	(102.26)	(66.70)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(23.42)	(18.27)	(102.25)	(66.70)
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		0.02	(0.01)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (23.42)	$ (18.25)	$ (102.26)	$ (66.70)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	7,064	7,041	7,056	7,029
Diluted (in shares)	7,064	7,041	7,056	7,029