CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 524,165	$ 438,352	$ 1,474,009	$ 1,690,647
Investment income (loss)	200	(742)	1,401	(1,904)
Total revenues and other income	524,365	437,610	1,475,410	1,688,743
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	336,538	270,397	939,658	1,058,794
General and administrative expenses	52,897	46,168	159,137	149,796
Research and engineering	9,498	7,565	24,930	26,279
Depreciation and amortization	173,375	206,862	525,426	645,045
Interest expense	42,217	52,403	126,906	158,331
Impairments and other charges	3,068	5,017	65,419	339,303
Other, net	19,690	(425)	31,140	(48,330)
Total costs and other deductions	637,283	587,987	1,872,616	2,329,218
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(112,918)	(150,377)	(397,206)	(640,475)
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	8,440	1,450	46,538	(6,089)
Deferred	(5,656)	(5,145)	(9,310)	24,533
Total income tax expense (benefit)	2,784	(3,695)	37,228	18,444
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(115,702)	(146,682)	(434,434)	(658,919)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(20)	22	7	(48)
Net income (loss)	(115,722)	(146,660)	(434,427)	(658,967)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(6,778)	(10,805)	(21,168)	(38,437)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(122,500)	(157,465)	(455,595)	(697,404)
Less: Preferred stock dividend		(3,653)	(3,653)	(10,958)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(122,500)	(161,118)	(459,248)	(708,362)
Amounts attributable to Nabors common shareholders:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(122,480)	(161,140)	(459,255)	(708,314)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	(20)	22	7	(48)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (122,500)	$ (161,118)	$ (459,248)	$ (708,362)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (15.79)	$ (23.42)	$ (62.26)	$ (102.25)
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)				(0.01)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(15.79)	(23.42)	(62.26)	(102.26)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(15.79)	(23.42)	(62.26)	(102.25)
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)				(0.01)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (15.79)	$ (23.42)	$ (62.26)	$ (102.26)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	7,907	7,064	7,490	7,056
Diluted (in shares)	7,907	7,064	7,490	7,056