Earnings (Losses) Per Share (Details) (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
Earnings (losses) per share computations
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 65,818	$ 87,190	$ 109,783	$ 252,629
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(988)	(708)	453	355
Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax - basic	64,830	86,482	110,236	252,984
Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax diluted	64,830	86,482	110,236	252,984
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	10,826	(12,226)	26,721	96,545
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
Shares (denominator):
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	290,367	287,487	289,822	286,971
Net effect of dilutive stock options, warrants and restricted stock awards based on the if-converted method (in shares)	2,134	4,499	2,468	6,020
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	292,501	291,986	292,290	292,991