CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (805,641)	$ (702,885)	$ (640,948)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	435	16,943	(31,962)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	210	217	216
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	160	567	567
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01			(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	805	17,727	(40,323)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	141	190	187
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	664	17,537	(40,510)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(804,977)	(685,348)	(681,458)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	42,795	22,375	28,222
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest		55	(251)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	42,795	22,430	27,971
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (762,182)	$ (662,918)	$ (653,487)