CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 2,017,548	$ 2,134,043	$ 3,043,383
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates			(5)
Investment income (loss)	1,557	1,438	10,218
Total revenues and other income	2,019,105	2,135,481	3,053,596
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	1,286,896	1,333,072	1,929,331
General and administrative expenses	213,559	203,515	258,731
Research and engineering	35,153	33,564	50,359
Depreciation and amortization	693,381	853,699	876,091
Interest expense	171,476	206,274	204,311
(Gain)/loss on debt buybacks and exchanges	(13,423)	(228,274)	(11,468)
Impairments and other charges	66,731	410,631	301,939
Other, net	53,421	28,567	33,224
Total costs and other deductions	2,507,194	2,841,048	3,642,518
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(488,089)	(705,567)	(588,922)
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	66,327	(7,430)	55,625
Deferred	(10,706)	64,716	35,951
Total income tax expense (benefit)	55,621	57,286	91,576
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(543,710)	(762,853)	(680,498)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	20	7	(12)
Net income (loss)	(543,690)	(762,846)	(680,510)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(25,582)	(42,795)	(22,375)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(569,272)	(805,641)	(702,885)
Less: Preferred stock dividend	(3,653)	(14,611)	(17,244)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	(572,925)	(820,252)	(720,129)
Amounts attributable to Nabors common shareholders:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(572,945)	(820,259)	(720,117)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	20	7	(12)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors common shareholders	$ (572,925)	$ (820,252)	$ (720,129)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (76.58)	$ (118.69)	$ (105.39)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(76.58)	(118.69)	(105.39)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(76.58)	(118.69)	(105.39)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (76.58)	$ (118.69)	$ (105.39)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	7,605	7,059	7,032
Diluted (in shares)	7,605	7,059	7,032