Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	$ 438,352	$ 758,076	$ 1,690,647	$ 2,329,122
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(64,931)	24,696	(102,720)	73,650
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates				(5)
Investment income (loss)	(742)	(1,437)	(1,904)	8,709
Interest expense	(52,403)	(51,291)	(158,331)	(155,134)
Remeasurement of net monetary assets charge	5,017	3,629	339,303	106,007
Other, net	425	(5,005)	48,330	(30,598)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(150,377)	(75,885)	(640,475)	(330,865)
ASSETS
Total assets	5,817,308		5,817,308		$ 6,760,658
U.S. Drilling
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	130,243	307,808	578,928	951,419
Canada Drilling
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	10,774	12,191	39,929	48,895
International Drilling
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	248,392	328,278	886,580	992,439
Drilling Solutions
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	29,324	62,286	117,837	192,291
Rig Technologies
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	28,466	63,106	104,198	207,610
Operating segment
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(64,931)	24,696	(102,720)	73,650
Operating segment | U.S. Drilling
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	130,243	307,808	578,928	951,419
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(39,162)	12,427	(69,961)	57,502
ASSETS
Total assets	1,990,662		1,990,662		2,369,200
Operating segment | Canada Drilling
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	10,774	12,191	39,929	48,895
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(3,507)	(5,701)	(9,265)	(11,297)
ASSETS
Total assets	169,572		169,572		202,706
Operating segment | International Drilling
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	248,392	328,278	886,580	992,439
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(16,872)	2,466	(20,743)	(10,055)
ASSETS
Total assets	2,751,761		2,751,761		2,979,494
Operating segment | Drilling Solutions
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	29,324	62,286	117,837	192,291
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(3,583)	16,145	8,699	42,793
ASSETS
Total assets	117,200		117,200		218,004
Operating segment | Rig Technologies
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	28,466	63,106	104,198	207,610
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(1,807)	(641)	(11,450)	(5,293)
ASSETS
Total assets	233,315		233,315		324,523
Other reconciling items (3)
Operating revenues and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:
Operating revenues	8,847	15,593	36,825	63,532
Reconciliation of segment adjusted operating income (loss) to net income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	(27,709)	$ (39,219)	(86,547)	$ (121,480)
ASSETS
Total assets	$ 554,798		$ 554,798		$ 666,731