Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (108,338)	$ 40,557
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps	(2,329)	(372)
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified to interest expense	47	(49)
Income taxes on derivatives	373	89
Total derivatives	(1,909)	(332)
Prior service cost		(25)
Unrecognized net actuarial loss		15
Income taxes on pension and other postretirement benefit plans		3
Total pension and other postretirement benefit plans		(7)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,909)	(339)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(110,247)	40,218
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	83	47
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$ (110,330)	$ 40,171