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Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions |  |  |  | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 12, 2016 USD ($) item | Jul. 20, 2016 USD ($) | Mar. 24, 2015 USD ($) shares | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) | Jul. 30, 2016 USD ($) | May 24, 2015
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration in merger |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 650,050 |  |  |
Nabors' share of equity method earnings (losses) |  |  |  |  |  | $ (221,914) | (75,081) | $ (6,301) |  |
Other-than-temporary impairment |  |  |  |  |  | 219,737 | 180,591 | 6,974 |  |
Summarized income statement (loss) information for investment in unconsolidated affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Nabors' share of equity method earnings (losses) |  |  |  |  |  | $ (221,914) | (75,081) | (6,301) |  |
C J Energy And Subsidiaries |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number Of Allowed Unsecured Claims | item | 2 |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |
Maximum Claim Distribution To Be Received | $ 4,850 |  |  |  |  | $ 4,850 |  |  |  |
Maximum Obligation Amount Relating to Tax Matters | $ 11,500 |  |  |  |  | $ 11,500 |  |  |  |
Strike price |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,550,000 |
Prorate Share of warrant To Acquire Common Equity Percentage | 2.00% |  |  |  |  | 2.00% |  |  |  |
Joint Venture in Saudi Arabia |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Remaining equity interest acquired (as a percent) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 49.00%
Unconsolidated Affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Nabors' share of equity method earnings (losses) |  |  |  |  |  | $ (221,933) | (81,260) | (6,301) |  |
Summarized income statement (loss) information for investment in unconsolidated affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current assets |  |  |  |  |  | 383,750 | 496,826 |  |  |
Long-term assets |  |  |  |  |  | 1,138,092 | 2,200,779 |  |  |
Current liabilities |  |  |  |  |  | 147,699 | 325,434 |  |  |
Long-term liabilities |  |  |  |  |  | 41,613 | 1,421,569 |  |  |
Gross revenues |  |  |  |  |  | 727,320 | 1,748,889 | 605,179 |  |
Gross margin |  |  |  |  |  | 18,943 | 225,773 | 35,370 |  |
Net income (loss) |  |  |  |  |  | (825,921) | (872,542) | (642) |  |
Nabors' share of equity method earnings (losses) |  |  |  |  |  | (221,933) | (81,260) | $ (6,301) |  |
Joint Venture in Saudi Arabia |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of outstanding and issued common shares held |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 51.00%
C&J Energy Services, Ltd. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration in merger |  |  | $ 693,500 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash proceeds from merger after working capital requirements |  |  | $ 650,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common shares held in merged entity | shares |  |  | 62.5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of outstanding and issued common shares held |  |  | 53.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Nabors' share of equity method earnings (losses) |  |  |  |  |  | (221,933) | (81,260) |  |  |
Other-than-temporary impairment |  |  |  | $ 153,400 |  | 192,400 | 180,600 |  |  |
Estimated gross gain in merger |  |  |  |  | $ 102,200 |  |  |  |  |
Transaction costs related to the merger |  |  | $ 49,600 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Post-closing adjustment for settlement of working capital requirements |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,500 |  |  |
Summarized income statement (loss) information for investment in unconsolidated affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Nabors' share of equity method earnings (losses) |  |  |  |  |  | $ (221,933) | $ (81,260) |  |  |
C&J Energy Services, Ltd. | Other expense (income) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated fair value |  |  |  | 93,800 |  |  |  |  |  |
Charge against receivables |  |  |  | $ 23,800 |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investment charge to write off remaining value of investment |  | $ 39,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Transaction costs related to the merger |  | $ 9,100 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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