Additional line of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity.

No definition available.

Name:	nbr_AdditionalLineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the maximum amount that could be borrowed under the debt arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nbr_DebtInstrumentMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the redemption price of the debt instrument as a percentage of the principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents loss on tendered notes, including related fees.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nbr_DebtRedemptionPremiumAndFees
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Portion of debt repayment financed through line of credit borrowings.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nbr_RepaymentOfLongTermDebtPortionFinancedByLineOfCreditBorrowings
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 470

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph e

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of the original debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of interest payable on debt, including, but not limited to, trade payables.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph a

-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph 5

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period remaining on line of credit facility before it terminates, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbr_SeniorNotesDueTwoZeroOneNineMember
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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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Debt (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
Debt (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 12, 2013	Jan. 01, 2009	Jul. 22, 2008	Aug. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Feb. 29, 2008	Sep. 30, 2010
Debt
Issuance of notes	$ 698,753,000
Payment of debt	994,181,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	276,258,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
Nabors Delaware (Issuer/Guarantor)
Debt
Issuance of notes	698,434,000
Payment of debt	994,112,000	224,997,000
Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Six and Senior Notes due Two Zero Two Three \| Nabors Delaware (Issuer/Guarantor)
Debt
Aggregate amount of senior notes									700,000,000
Redemption price of principal amount of debt instrument including accrued and unpaid interest (as a percent)			101.00%
Senior Notes Due September 2016
Debt
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)			2.35%						2.35%
Senior Notes Due September 2016 \| Nabors Delaware (Issuer/Guarantor)
Debt
Aggregate amount of senior notes									350,000,000
Senior Notes Due September 2023
Debt
Aggregate amount of senior notes									350,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)			5.10%						5.10%
Senior Notes Due January 2019
Debt
Aggregate amount of senior notes			339,600,000		1,125,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)	9.25%		9.25%						9.25%
Principal amount redeemed	785,400,000			785,400,000
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)					100.00%
Redemption price of principal amount of debt instrument including accrued and unpaid interest (as a percent)					101.00%
Payment of debt				1,000,000,000
Premium and related fees paid in the redemption				211,900,000
Senior Notes Due January 2019 \| Affiliated Entity
Debt
Principal amount redeemed				14,000,000
Senior Notes Due February 2018
Debt
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)			6.15%
Senior Notes Due February 2018 \| Nabors Delaware (Issuer/Guarantor)
Debt
Aggregate amount of senior notes						975,000,000				575,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)			6.15%
Issuance of notes						400,000,000
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)			100.00%
Redemption price of principal amount of debt instrument including accrued and unpaid interest (as a percent)			101.00%
Senior Notes Due September 2020
Debt
Aggregate amount of senior notes											700,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)			5.00%
Senior Notes Due September 2020 \| Nabors Delaware (Issuer/Guarantor)
Debt
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)			5.00%
Redemption price of principal amount of debt instrument including accrued and unpaid interest (as a percent)			101.00%
Senior Notes Due September 2021
Debt
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)			4.625%
Senior Notes Due August 2012 \| Nabors Delaware (Issuer/Guarantor)
Debt
Aggregate amount of senior notes							275,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)			5.375%
Payment of debt							282,400,000
Payment of debt, portion financed through line of credit borrowings							270,000,000
Payment of debt accrued interest							7,400,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt
Weighted average interest rate on revolving credit facilities (as a percent)			1.47%
Remaining availability under credit facility			516,900,000,000
Option to increase in aggregate principal amount of commitments			1,500,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| Minimum
Debt
Remaining period to maturity			1 year
Commercial Paper
Debt
Weighted average interest rate on revolving credit facilities (as a percent)			0.369%
Commercial Paper \| Nabors Delaware (Issuer/Guarantor)
Debt
Aggregate amount of senior notes	329,800,000		533,100,000
Maximum borrowing capacity								1,500,000,000
Commercial Paper \| Nabors Delaware (Issuer/Guarantor) \| Maximum
Debt
Debt instrument, maturity term								397 days