Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details) (USD $)	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
Summarized financial data for investment in unconsolidated affiliates
Nabors' earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	$ (1,600,000)	$ (2,600,000)	$ 1,400,000	$ 2,900,000	$ 1,200,000	$ (99,500,000)	$ (156,063,000)	$ (34,321,000)	$ (190,384,000)	$ 39,000	$ (288,718,000)	$ 85,448,000
Adjustment
Summarized financial data for investment in unconsolidated affiliates
Nabors' earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates							(21,746,000)	34,348,000	12,602,000		12,602,000	28,801,000
Joint Venture in Saudi Arabia
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Ownership percentage	51.00%									51.00%
Assets held for sale
Summarized financial data for investment in unconsolidated affiliates
Current assets	442,703,000				174,977,000					442,703,000	174,977,000
Long-term assets	138,222,000				161,207,000					138,222,000	161,207,000
Current liabilities	440,585,000				194,504,000					440,585,000	194,504,000
Long-term liabilities	4,169,000				3,389,000					4,169,000	3,389,000
Gross revenues										562,101,000	657,362,000	760,257,000
Gross margin										46,446,000	107,035,000	205,502,000
Net income (loss)										1,088,000	(624,172,000)	327,760,000
Nabors' earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates										39,000	(288,718,000)	85,448,000
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates included in discontinued operations, net of tax												$ 76,500,000