Document and Entity Information Document Information [Table] Document Information [Line Items] Document and Entity Information Document Type Document Quarterly Report Document Period End Date Document Transition Report Securities Act File Number Entity Registrant Name Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line Two Entity Address, Address Line Three Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Country City Area Code Local Phone Number Title of 12(b) Security Trading Symbol Security Exchange Name Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Filer Category Entity Small Business Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Shell Company Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Amendment Flag CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Stockholders' Equity activity Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Cash and Cash Equivalent Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Short-Term Investments Short-term investments Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $48,239 and $55,193, respectively Accounts receivable Inventory, Net Inventory, net Total inventory Other Assets, Current Other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, plant and equipment, net Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net Deferred income taxes Other Assets, Noncurrent Other long-term assets Assets Total assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Long-Term Debt, Current Maturities Current portion of debt, net Less: current portion Accounts Payable, Current Trade accounts payable Accounts payable Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable, pertaining to costs that are statutory in nature, are incurred on contractual obligations, or accumulate over time and for which invoices have not yet been received or will not be rendered. Excludes income taxes. Accrued Liabilities Excluding Income Taxes, Current Accrued liabilities Total accrued liabilities Accrued Income Taxes, Current Income taxes payable Operating Lease, Liability, Current Current lease liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Long-Term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Long-term debt Long-term debt, net Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Other liabilities Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Deferred income taxes Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Carrying Amount Balance, end of period Balance, beginning of year Redeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiary Redeemable noncontrolling interest Equity, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Shareholders' equity: Common Stock, Value, Issued Common shares, par value $0.05 per share: Authorized common shares 32,000; issued 15,962 and 15,703, respectively Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Capital in excess of par value Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) Treasury Stock, Common, Value Less: treasury shares, at cost, 1,161 and 1,161 common shares, respectively Equity, Attributable to Parent Ending balance Beginning balance Total shareholders' equity Equity, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total equity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and equity Accounts and Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss Allowance for accounts receivable Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common shares, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common shares, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common shares, shares issued Treasury Stock, Common, Shares Treasury shares, common CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) Revenues and other income: Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Operating revenues Revenues Investment Income, Nonoperating Investment (income) loss Investment income (loss) Investment income (loss) The sum of Operating revenues, Gains (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates and Investment income for the period. Revenues and Other Income Total revenues and other income Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Costs and other deductions: Direct Operating Costs Direct costs Direct costs General and Administrative Expense General and administrative expenses Research and Development Expense Research and engineering Cost, Depreciation and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Interest Expense, Nonoperating Interest expense Business Combination, Bargain Purchase, Gain Recognized, Amount Bargain purchase gain Gain on bargain purchase Gain on bargain purchase Net costs of sales and operating expenses for the period classified as other. Other Costs and Expenses, Net Other, net Total other, net Costs and Expenses Total costs and other deductions Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Total income (loss) before income taxes Income (loss) before income taxes Income (loss) before income taxes Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Income tax expense (benefit): Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Current Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax expense (benefit) Income tax expense (benefit) Tax expense (benefit) Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors No definition available. Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings (losses) per share: Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic (in dollars per share) Total Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted (in dollars per share) Total Diluted (in dollars per share) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic (in shares) Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted (in shares) Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, before Tax Pension liability amortization and adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income (loss) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity [Abstract] Adjustments to net income (loss): The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets, excluding debt issuance costs and discounts. Depreciation and Amortization, Excluding Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts Depreciation and amortization Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits Deferred income tax expense (benefit) The sum of a) the charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value and b) other charges. Asset Impairment and Other Charges Impairments and other charges Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs Gain (Loss) on Repurchase of Debt Instrument Losses (gains) on debt buyback Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment Losses (gains) on sale of long-lived assets, net Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Share-based compensation Unrealized Gain (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction, before Tax Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net Fair Value Adjustment of Warrants Mark-to-market (gain) loss on warrants Other Noncash Income (Expense) Other Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventory Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets Other long-term assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable Income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Liabilities Other long-term liabilities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Payments to Acquire Investments Purchases of investments Cash Acquired from Acquisition Cash acquired in stock based business combination, net of cash paid Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Capital expenditures The cash inflow from the sale of property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets and proceeds from insurance claims. Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets and Insurance Claims Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims Payment for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activity Other Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Repayments of Long-Term Debt Reduction in debt Proceeds from Lines of Credit Proceeds from revolving credit facilities Repayments of Lines of Credit Reduction in revolving credit facilities Payments of Capital Distribution Payment of dividend to former Parker shareholders The cash outflow for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards. Payments for Employee Taxes on Net Settlement of Equity Awards Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Distributions to noncontrolling interest Proceeds from (Payment for) Other Financing Activity Other Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Discontinued Operation Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation [Abstract] RECONCILIATION OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalent Restricted cash, end of period Restricted cash, beginning of period Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Restricted cash, Balance Sheet location CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common shares Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Capital in Excess of Par Value AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Earnings (Accumulated Loss) Treasury Stock, Common [Member] Treasury Shares Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Non-controlling Interest Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Equity Shares, Issued Ending Balance (in shares) Beginning Balance (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions Share issuance related to Parker acquisition Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions Share issuance related to Parker acquisition, shares Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Shares Issued, Value, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Share-based compensation Shares Issued, Shares, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Share-based compensation (in shares) Represents the contribution to (distribution from) equity by noncontrolling interest. Noncontrolling Interest Contributions (Distributions) Noncontrolling interest contributions (distributions) Amount of accrued distribution on redeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiary. Accrued Distribution on Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiary Accrued distribution on redeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiary Less: accrued distribution on redeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiary Stockholders' Equity, Other Other Stockholders' Equity, Other Shares Other (in shares) General Nature of Operations [Text Block] General Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Parker Acquisition Business Combination [Text Block] Parker Acquisition Joint Ventures Variable Interest Entity Disclosure [Text Block] Joint Ventures Accounts Receivable Purchase and Sales Agreements Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets [Text Block] Accounts Receivable Purchase and Sales Agreements Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Shareholders' Equity Equity [Text Block] Shareholders' Equity Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Commitments and Contingencies.