Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 22,405	$ 21,053	$ 70,787	$ 61,444
Gain (loss) in fair value of interest rate swaps	205	(47)	1,086	(244)
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified to interest expense	4	112	93	419
Income taxes on derivatives	(44)	(23)	(248)	(61)
Total derivatives	165	42	931	114
Amortization to net income of prior service cost	(19)	(20)	(58)	(58)
Amortization to net income of actuarial loss	84	110	252	330
Income taxes on pension and other postretirement benefit plans	(16)	(22)	(49)	(68)
Total pension and other postretirement benefit plans	49	68	145	204
Total other comprehensive income	214	110	1,076	318
Comprehensive income	22,619	21,163	71,863	61,762
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	(7)	(33)	96	10
Comprehensive income attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$ 22,626	$ 21,196	$ 71,767	$ 61,752