Subsidiary Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Subsidiary Preferred Stock
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	$ 750	$ 750	$ 2,250	$ 2,250

Represents the information pertaining to subsidiary preferred stock dividend paid during the period.

No definition available.

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