CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 139,982	$ 164,827	$ 248,524
Adjustments to net income (loss):
Depreciation and amortization	1,099,741	1,055,757	927,460
Depletion and other exploratory expenses	22,270	2,573	44,551
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(103,277)	(131,742)	(12,379)
Deferred financing costs amortization	4,255	4,294	5,107
Discount amortization on long-term debt	2,137	1,908	27,042
Impairments and other charges	53,905	311,541	460,971
Losses on debt extinguishment	211,981
Losses (gains) on long-lived assets, net	18,060	(51,585)	(51,945)
Losses (gains) on investments, net	(91,480)	(56,925)	(12,486)
Share-based compensation	53,255	18,312	21,244
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	6,225	4,819	5,725
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends	800	299,717	(161,189)
Other	(2,550)	1,862	(11,077)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(44,561)	200,537	(459,455)
Inventory	39,412	14,447	(114,896)
Other current assets	(6,943)	(42,743)	(24,820)
Other long-term assets	42,298	(38,468)	71,867
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities	113,550	(224,795)	519,211
Income taxes payable	(31,752)	(1,488)	999
Other long-term liabilities	(109,085)	29,857	(27,967)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,418,223	1,562,705	1,456,487
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments		(949)	(11,746)
Sales and maturities of investments	164,510	31,944	39,063
Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated affiliates	12,640	159,529	142,984
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	(116,971)		(55,459)
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	(5,967)	(1,325)	(112,262)
Capital expenditures	(1,178,205)	(1,518,628)	(2,042,617)
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	308,538	149,801	180,558
Other	(13)
Net cash used for investing activities	(815,468)	(1,179,628)	(1,859,479)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	(4,421)	1,612	6,375
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	698,753		697,578
Debt issuance costs	(4,500)	(3,433)	(7,141)
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities		710,000	1,560,000
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	5,383	(3,625)	11,605
Reduction in long-term debt	(994,181)	(276,258)	(1,404,281)
Dividends to shareholders	(47,168)
Proceeds from (payment for) commercial paper, net	329,844
Reduction in revolving credit facilities	(720,000)	(680,000)	(700,000)
Other	6,704	(2,423)	(891)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(729,586)	(254,127)	163,245
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(8,176)	(2,603)	(3,380)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(135,007)	126,347	(243,127)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	524,922	398,575	641,702
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 389,915	$ 524,922	$ 398,575