Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$ 29,332	$ 133,880
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $XX and $3,396 at 2011 and 2010, respectively	170,805	154,726
Inventories, net	53,214	33,979
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,463	27,656
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	280,814	350,241
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net	115,295	104,223
INTANGIBLES, net	8,221	8,660
GOODWILL	162,787	154,217
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent	13,662	13,278
Other Assets, Noncurrent	24,360	19,622
TOTAL ASSETS	605,139	650,241
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	57,639	44,710
Accrued payroll and related costs	34,028	28,621
Taxes other than payroll and income	8,566	7,796
Unearned revenues	19,154	20,181
Income taxes payable	793	21,004
Short-term debt and capital lease obligations	2,344	147,543
Other accrued expenses	14,937	10,419
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	137,461	280,274
LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS	223,075	0
DEFERRED COMPENSATION	24,117	21,241
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent	(5,531)	(15,476)
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	33,300	32,046
EQUITY COMPONENT OF SHORT-TERM DEBT - SENIOR EXCHANGEABLE NOTES	0	8,864
EQUITY:
Preference shares, EUR 0.02 par value; 6,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Value, Issued	1,376	1,397
Additional paid-in capital	2,012	0
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	283,660	536,991
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(1,739)	(6,207)
Treasury shares (at cost), XX at 2011 and 4,218,726 at 2010	(107,406)	(242,690)
Total Core Laboratories N.V. shareholders' equity	177,903	289,491
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,752	2,849
TOTAL EQUITY	181,655	292,340
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 605,139	$ 650,241