Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (97,497)	$ 102,117	$ 79,789
Gain (loss) on fair value of interest rate swaps	(2,106)	(1,058)	418
Interest expense reclassified to net income (loss)	669	(61)	69
Income tax expense (benefit) on interest rate swaps reclassified to net income (loss)	302	235	(102)
Total interest rate swaps	(1,135)	(884)	385
Adjustment of unrecognized pension actuarial gain (loss)	351	(1,988)	1,557
Prior service cost recognized during year			157
Amortization of prior service cost reclassified to net income (loss)		(848)	(106)
Amortization actuarial gain (loss) reclassified to net income (loss)		3,171	1,706
Income tax expense (benefit) on pension and other postretirement benefit plans reclassified to net income (loss)	(86)	(325)	(802)
Total pension and other postretirement benefit plans	265	10	2,512
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(870)	(874)	2,897
Comprehensive income (loss)	(98,367)	101,243	82,686
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	140	134	263
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Core Laboratories N.V.	$ (98,507)	$ 101,109	$ 82,423