Significant Accounting Policies Level 1 (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
BASIS OF PRESENTATION [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Core Laboratories N.V. and its subsidiaries for which we have a controlling voting interest and/or a controlling financial interest. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information using the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnote disclosures required by U.S. GAAP and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the summary of significant accounting policies and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. Core Laboratories N.V. uses the equity method of accounting for investments in which it has less than a majority interest and over which it does not exercise control. Non-controlling interests have been recorded to reflect outside ownership attributable to consolidated subsidiaries that are less than 100% owned. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for the periods presented have been included in these financial statements. Furthermore, the operating results presented for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 may not necessarily be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2011. Core Laboratories N.V.'s balance sheet information for the year ended December 31, 2010 was derived from the 2010 audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Certain reclassifications were made to prior period amounts in order to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on the reported net income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011. References to "Core Lab", "we", "our" and similar phrases are used throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and relate collectively to Core Laboratories N.V. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Core Laboratories N.V. and its subsidiaries for which we have a controlling voting interest and/or a controlling financial interest. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information using the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnote disclosures required by U.S. GAAP and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the summary of significant accounting policies and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Core Laboratories N.V. uses the equity method of accounting for investments in which it has less than a majority interest and over which it does not exercise control. Non-controlling interests have been recorded to reflect outside ownership attributable to consolidated subsidiaries that are less than 100% owned. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for the periods presented have been included in these financial statements. Furthermore, the operating results presented for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 may not necessarily be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Core Laboratories N.V.'s balance sheet information for the year ended December 31, 2010 was derived from the 2010 audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Certain reclassifications were made to prior period amounts in order to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on the reported net income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011.

References to "Core Lab", "we", "our" and similar phrases are used throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and relate collectively to Core Laboratories N.V. and its consolidated subsidiaries.