Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	$ 1,658,514	$ 1,081,103	$ 4,420,279	$ 2,884,965
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(9)	259,288	164,419	625,179	432,989
Interest expense	(57,907)	(66,973)	(195,570)	(199,035)
Investment income (loss)	738	(733)	12,056	(976)
Gains (losses) on sales and retirements of long-lived assets and other income (expense), net	12,157	(9,407)	556	(40,798)
Impairments and other charges	(98,072)	(123,099)	(98,072)	(123,099)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	116,204	(35,793)	344,149	69,081
Income tax expense (benefit)	33,250	(4,230)	107,221	13,154
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	750		2,250
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	82,204	(31,563)	234,678	55,927
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(7,240)	(7,591)	114,496	(12,921)
Net income (loss)	74,964	(39,154)	349,174	43,006
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(708)	(453)	355	1,208
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	74,256	(39,607)	349,529	44,214
ASSETS
Total assets	12,318,346		12,318,346		11,646,569
U.S. Lower 48 Land Drilling [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	430,895	350,348	1,214,447	925,262
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(9)	104,877	70,452	284,203	188,907
ASSETS
Total assets	3,047,093		3,047,093		2,762,362
U.S. Land Well-servicing [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	189,356	119,127	503,752	321,978
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(9)	22,839	9,049	50,488	19,465
ASSETS
Total assets	768,442		768,442		630,518
U.S. Offshore [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	46,069	26,504	116,807	103,680
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(9)	2,457	(1,090)	(2,579)	14,387
ASSETS
Total assets	385,087		385,087		379,292
Alaska [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	27,027	45,920	100,678	139,099
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(9)	3,021	14,299	22,328	40,644
ASSETS
Total assets	281,252		281,252		313,123
Canada [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	145,587	85,728	406,004	262,043
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(9)	21,604	1,013	58,084	6,398
ASSETS
Total assets	919,341		919,341		1,065,268
International [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	281,686	288,535	809,394	800,886
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(9)	29,015	64,379	100,363	182,930
ASSETS
Total assets	3,594,294		3,594,294		3,279,763
Subtotal Contract Drilling [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	1,120,620	916,162	3,151,082	2,552,948
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(9)	183,813	158,102	512,887	452,731
ASSETS
Total assets	8,995,509		8,995,509		8,430,326
Pressure Pumping [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	343,723	61,611	867,512	61,611
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(9)	65,052	11,987	152,655	11,987
ASSETS
Total assets	1,353,403		1,353,403		1,163,236
Oil and Gas [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	43,104	11,280	74,987	31,682
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(9)	23,841	1,037	28,030	5,654
ASSETS
Total assets	848,135		848,135		805,410
Other Operating Segments [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	199,604	130,392	483,478	333,654
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(9)	22,012	17,969	41,791	33,176
ASSETS
Total assets	675,908		675,908		539,373
Other reconciling items [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	(48,537)	(38,342)	(156,780)	(94,930)
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(9)	(35,430)	(24,676)	(110,184)	(70,559)
ASSETS
Total assets	$ 445,391		$ 445,391		$ 708,224