CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 1,766,419	$ 1,608,504	$ 5,393,959	$ 4,325,714
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(99,527)	33,723	(302,513)	59,305
Investment income (loss)	7,224	727	32,844	12,032
Total revenues and other income	1,674,116	1,642,954	5,124,290	4,397,051
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	1,136,198	1,019,412	3,444,270	2,687,970
General and administrative expenses	131,887	119,431	401,845	358,352
Depreciation and amortization	269,597	234,085	778,234	684,337
Interest expense	63,604	58,060	189,717	195,781
Losses (gains) on sales and retirements of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	10,263	(11,607)	21,837	(1,100)
Impairments and other charges		98,072	147,503	98,072
Total costs and other deductions	1,611,549	1,517,453	4,983,406	4,023,412
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	62,567	125,501	140,884	373,639
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	50,979	19,676	111,683	47,214
Deferred	(54,980)	17,885	(82,832)	71,546
Total income tax expense (benefit)	(4,001)	37,561	28,851	118,760
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	750	750	2,250	2,250
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	65,818	87,190	109,783	252,629
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	10,826	(12,226)	26,721	96,545
Net income (loss)	76,644	74,964	136,504	349,174
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(988)	(708)	453	355
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 75,656	$ 74,256	$ 136,957	$ 349,529
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.30	$ 0.38	$ 0.88
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ (0.04)	$ 0.09	$ 0.34
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26	$ 0.26	$ 0.47	$ 1.22
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.30	$ 0.38	$ 0.86
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ (0.05)	$ 0.09	$ 0.33
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26	$ 0.25	$ 0.47	$ 1.19
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	290,367	287,487	289,822	286,971
Diluted (in shares)	292,501	291,986	292,290	292,991