CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues									$ 6,804,197	$ 6,152,015	$ 6,843,051
U.S. oil and gas joint venture earnings (losses)	(400)	(2,900)	(600)	(2,400)	(1,600)	(2,600)	1,400	2,900	(6,301)	39	(288,718)
Investment income (loss)									11,831	96,577	63,137
Total revenues and other income									6,809,727	6,248,631	6,617,470
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs									4,505,064	3,981,828	4,367,106
General and administrative expenses									549,734	525,330	527,953
Depreciation and amortization									1,145,100	1,086,677	1,039,923
Interest expense									177,948	223,418	251,904
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net									9,073	37,977	(136,636)
Impairments and other charges									1,027,423	287,241	290,260
Total costs and other deductions									7,414,342	6,142,471	6,340,510
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(604,615)	106,160	276,960
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									302,313	39,865	142,994
Deferred									(239,647)	(95,046)	(102,008)
Total income tax expense (benefit)									62,666	(55,181)	40,986
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend									1,984	3,000	3,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(886,401)	102,430	65,729	48,977	128,516	(90,510)	28,128	92,207	(669,265)	158,341	232,974
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(4,467)	4,005	(1,032)	1,515	23,113	(14,430)	(26,873)	7,011	21	(11,179)	(67,526)
Net income (loss)									(669,244)	147,162	165,448
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(202)	(387)	(253)	(573)	(1,026)	(441)	(5,616)	(97)	(1,415)	(7,180)	(621)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (891,070)	$ 106,048	$ 64,444	$ 49,919	$ 150,603	$ (105,381)	$ (4,361)	$ 99,121	$ (670,659)	$ 139,982	$ 164,827
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (3.06)	$ 0.34	$ 0.21	$ 0.16	$ 0.43	$ (0.30)	$ 0.08	$ 0.31	$ (2.28)	$ 0.51	$ 0.80
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.02		$ 0.01	$ 0.07	$ (0.05)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.03		$ (0.04)	$ (0.23)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (3.08)	$ 0.36	$ 0.21	$ 0.17	$ 0.50	$ (0.35)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.34	$ (2.28)	$ 0.47	$ 0.57
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (3.06)	$ 0.34	$ 0.21	$ 0.16	$ 0.42	$ (0.30)	$ 0.08	$ 0.31	$ (2.28)	$ 0.51	$ 0.79
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.01			$ 0.08	$ (0.05)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.02		$ (0.04)	$ (0.23)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (3.08)	$ 0.35	$ 0.21	$ 0.16	$ 0.50	$ (0.35)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.33	$ (2.28)	$ 0.47	$ 0.56
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)									290,694	294,182	289,965
Diluted (in shares)									290,694	296,592	292,323