Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	$ 1,094,045	$ 1,108,134
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(949)	(9,567)
Sales and maturities of investments	30,111	24,580
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net		(55,459)
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates		(54,762)
Distribution of proceeds from asset sales from unconsolidated affiliates		142,984
Capital expenditures	(1,221,769)	(1,532,597)
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	128,432	110,535
Net cash used for investing activities	(1,064,175)	(1,374,286)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	(1,748)	5,074
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		697,578
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	710,000	1,300,000
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	(4,007)	12,175
Debt issuance costs		(6,065)
Reduction in long-term debt	(276,232)	(1,404,271)
Paydown of revolving credit facilities	(380,000)	(700,000)
Repurchase of equity component of convertible debt		(12)
Purchase of restricted stock	(2,071)	(2,579)
Tax benefit related to share-based awards	(54)	185
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	45,888	(97,915)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,771)	(2,174)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	72,987	(366,241)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	398,575	641,702
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	471,562	275,461
Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	6,572	6,163
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates		(25,450)
Net cash used for investing activities		(25,450)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	(4,006)	12,175
Purchase of restricted stock	(2,071)	(2,579)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(6,077)	9,596
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	495	(9,691)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	203	10,847
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	698	1,156
Nabors Delaware (Issuer/Guarantor)
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	(88,960)	227,747
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates		(65,000)
Net cash used for investing activities		(65,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		697,578
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	710,000	1,250,000
Debt issuance costs		(6,065)
Reduction in long-term debt	(224,997)	(1,404,245)
Paydown of revolving credit facilities	(380,000)	(700,000)
Repurchase of equity component of convertible debt		(12)
Tax benefit related to share-based awards		(1)
Cash dividends paid	(9,003)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	96,000	(162,745)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	7,040	2
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	21	20
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	7,061	22
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	1,206,939	874,224
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(949)	(9,567)
Sales and maturities of investments	30,111	24,580
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net		(55,459)
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates		(54,762)
Distribution of proceeds from asset sales from unconsolidated affiliates		142,984
Capital expenditures	(1,221,769)	(1,532,597)
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	128,432	110,535
Net cash used for investing activities	(1,064,175)	(1,374,286)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	(1,748)	5,074
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities		50,000
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	(1)
Reduction in long-term debt	(51,235)	(26)
Tax benefit related to share-based awards	(54)	186
Proceeds from parent contributions		90,450
Cash dividends paid	(21,503)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(74,541)	145,684
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,771)	(2,174)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	65,452	(356,552)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	398,351	630,835
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	463,803	274,283
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	(30,506)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates		90,450
Net cash used for investing activities		90,450
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from parent contributions		(90,450)
Cash dividends paid	30,506
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	$ 30,506	$ (90,450)