Severance and Other Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Severance and other charges	$ 7,090,000clb_Severanceandothercharges	$ 0clb_Severanceandothercharges
Severance Costs	6,400,000us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
Business Exit Costs	500,000us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1
Asset write-offs	$ 200,000clb_Assetwriteoffs

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Includes, but is not limited to, one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, and relocating employees, and termination benefits associated with an ongoing benefit arrangement. Excludes expenses associated with special or contractual termination benefits, a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

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Amount of expenses for special or contractual termination benefits provided to current employees involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to one-time termination benefits, a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

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