Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	$ 213,643us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 262,903us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Inter-segment revenue	0us-gaap_Revenues	0us-gaap_Revenues
Segment operating income (loss)	42,717clb_IncomeBeforeInterestExpenseAndTaxes	82,827clb_IncomeBeforeInterestExpenseAndTaxes
Total assets (at end of period)	630,008us-gaap_Assets	680,363us-gaap_Assets	675,653us-gaap_Assets
Capital expenditures	6,869	7,668
Depreciation and amortization	6,566	6,633
Operating Segments [Member] \| Reservoir Description [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	121,759	125,256
Inter-segment revenue	2,776	2,769
Segment operating income (loss)	28,530	34,853
Total assets (at end of period)	312,129	325,139
Capital expenditures	4,437	4,816
Depreciation and amortization	3,783	3,848
Operating Segments [Member] \| Production Enhancement [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	75,145	110,280
Inter-segment revenue	717	797
Segment operating income (loss)	9,923	37,202
Total assets (at end of period)	233,414	263,351
Capital expenditures	1,803	1,075
Depreciation and amortization	1,761	1,895
Operating Segments [Member] \| Reservoir Management [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	16,739	27,367
Inter-segment revenue	149	420
Segment operating income (loss)	3,866	10,474
Total assets (at end of period)	29,505	35,676
Capital expenditures	221	85
Depreciation and amortization	431	239
Corporate & Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from unaffiliated clients	0	0
Inter-segment revenue	(3,642)	(3,986)
Segment operating income (loss)	398	298
Total assets (at end of period)	54,960	56,197
Capital expenditures	408	1,692
Depreciation and amortization	$ 591	$ 651

Income (loss) before interest expense and income taxes.

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18)

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12

-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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- Definition

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

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- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

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- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

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