Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information
Operating revenues	$ 443,396	$ 438,352	$ 533,931	$ 718,364	$ 714,261	$ 758,076	$ 771,406	$ 799,640	$ 2,134,043	$ 3,043,383	$ 3,057,619
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(103,934)	(146,682)	(137,968)	(374,269)	(284,533)	(99,788)	(192,801)	(103,376)	(762,853)	(680,498)	(598,063)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	55	22	23	(93)	22	157	(34)	(157)	7	(12)	(14,663)
Net income (loss)	(103,879)	(146,660)	(137,945)	(374,362)	(284,511)	(99,631)	(192,835)	(103,533)	(762,846)	(680,510)	(612,726)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,358)	(10,805)	(10,167)	(17,465)	21,827	(19,297)	(10,729)	(14,176)	(42,795)	(22,375)	(28,222)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(108,237)	(157,465)	(148,112)	(391,827)	(262,684)	(118,928)	(203,564)	(117,709)	(805,641)	(702,885)	(640,948)
Less: preferred stock dividends	(3,653)	(3,653)	(3,653)	(3,652)	(4,309)	(4,310)	(4,312)	(4,313)	(14,611)	(17,244)	(12,305)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (111,890)	$ (161,118)	$ (151,765)	$ (395,479)	$ (266,993)	$ (123,238)	$ (207,876)	$ (122,022)	$ (820,252)	$ (720,129)	$ (653,253)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (16.46)	$ (23.42)	$ (22.13)	$ (56.72)	$ (38.66)	$ (18.27)	$ (30.31)	$ (18.11)	$ (118.69)	$ (105.39)	$ (97.42)
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.01			(0.01)		0.02		(0.02)			(2.19)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(16.45)	(23.42)	(22.13)	(56.73)	(38.66)	(18.25)	(30.31)	(18.13)	(118.69)	(105.39)	(99.61)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(16.46)	(23.42)	(22.13)	(56.72)	(38.66)	(18.27)	(30.31)	(18.11)	(118.69)	(105.39)	(97.42)
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.01			(0.01)		0.02		(0.02)			(2.19)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (16.45)	$ (23.42)	$ (22.13)	$ (56.73)	$ (38.66)	$ (18.25)	$ (30.31)	$ (18.13)	$ (118.69)	$ (105.39)	$ (99.61)