Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 2,996	$ 23,813	$ (111,017)	$ 91,827
Gain (loss) on fair value of interest rate swaps	170	(293)	(2,620)	(1,322)
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified to net income (loss)	221	(8)	444	(102)
Income taxes on derivatives	(82)	63	457	299
Total derivatives (loss)	309	(238)	(1,719)	(1,125)
Amortization to net income (loss) of prior service cost		(25)		(75)
Amortization to net income (loss) of actuarial loss		15		44
Income taxes on pension and other postretirement benefit plans		3		8
Total pension and other postretirement benefit plans		(7)		(23)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	309	(245)	(1,719)	(1,148)
Comprehensive income (loss)	3,305	23,568	(112,736)	90,679
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	33	84	157	174
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$ 3,272	$ 23,484	$ (112,893)	$ 90,505