CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Shares	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings	Treasury Shares	Non-controlling Interest
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 5,181,979	$ 314	$ 2,239,323	$ 292,706	$ 3,613,186	$ (977,873)	$ 14,323
Beginning Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2009		313,915
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	83,821				83,821
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(15,687)			(15,687)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities, net of income taxes of $70 and $7,678 for 2011 and 2010 respectively	(23,906)			(23,906)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains)/ losses included in net income (loss), net of income taxes of $0 and $951for 2011 and 2010 respectively	(2,060)			(2,060)
Pension liability amortization, net of income taxes of $117 and $74 for 2011 and 2010 respectively	126			126
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of (gains)/losses on cash flow hedges, net of income tax benefit of $(119) and $(9) for 2011 and 2010 respectively	89			89
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	42,383
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,661						1,661
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	(131)						(131)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,792)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	40,591
Issuance of common shares for stock options exercised, net of surrender of unexercised stock options	4,733		4,733
Issuance of common shares for stock options exercised, net of surrender of unexercised stock options, shares	400	389
Distributions from noncontrolling interest	(867)						(867)
Contributions to noncontrolling interest	437						437
Repurchase of equity component of convertible debt	(4,712)		(4,712)
Settlement of call options and warrants, net	1,133		1,133
Tax benefit related to share-based awards	(45)		(45)
Restricted stock awards, net	(1,887)		(1,887)
Restricted stock awards, net, shares		374
Share-based compensation	7,047		7,047
Ending Balances at Jun. 30, 2010	5,228,409	314	2,245,592	251,268	3,697,007	(977,873)	12,101
Ending Balances, shares at Jun. 30, 2010		314,678
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2010	5,342,863	315	2,255,787	342,052	3,707,881	(977,873)	14,701
Beginning Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		315,034
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	275,273				275,273
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	39,349			39,349
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities, net of income taxes of $70 and $7,678 for 2011 and 2010 respectively	(4,954)			(4,954)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains)/ losses included in net income (loss), net of income taxes of $0 and $951for 2011 and 2010 respectively	(1)			(1)
Pension liability amortization, net of income taxes of $117 and $74 for 2011 and 2010 respectively	183			183
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of (gains)/losses on cash flow hedges, net of income tax benefit of $(119) and $(9) for 2011 and 2010 respectively	262			262
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	310,112
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,063						1,063
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	452						452
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(611)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	309,501
Issuance of common shares for stock options exercised, net of surrender of unexercised stock options	11,622	1	11,621
Issuance of common shares for stock options exercised, net of surrender of unexercised stock options, shares	1,000	956
Distributions from noncontrolling interest	(1,119)						(1,119)
Repurchase of equity component of convertible debt	(14)		(14)
Tax benefit related to share-based awards	42		42
Restricted stock awards, net	(2,527)		(2,527)
Restricted stock awards, net, shares		868
Share-based compensation	8,107		8,107
Ending Balances at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 5,668,475	$ 316	$ 2,273,016	$ 376,891	$ 3,983,154	$ (977,873)	$ 12,971
Ending Balances, shares at Jun. 30, 2011		316,858