CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 150,603	$ (105,381)	$ (4,361)	$ 99,121	$ 27,077	$ 75,656	$ (93,742)	$ 155,836	$ 62,094	$ 139,982	$ 164,827	$ 248,524
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors										(65,447)	21,073	(20,257)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities										23,007	98,138	5,356
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income (loss)										(88,158)	(13,405)	(3,036)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities										(65,151)	84,733	2,320
Pension plan										5,916	(324)	(5,391)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges										613	702	763
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax										(124,069)	106,184	(22,565)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)										(66)	(4,147)	(1,777)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax										(124,003)	110,331	(20,788)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors							(118,117)	177,035	58,918	15,979	275,158	227,736
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,026)	(441)	(5,616)	(97)	(1,074)	(988)	1,174	267		(7,180)	(621)	(1,045)
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest										(932)	311	(185)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest										6,248	932	860
Comprehensive income (loss)							$ (119,507)	$ 177,011	$ 57,504	$ 22,227	$ 276,090	$ 228,596