Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	$ 1,562,705	$ 1,456,487	$ 1,106,984
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(949)	(11,746)	(34,147)
Sales and maturities of investments	31,944	39,063	34,613
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net		(55,459)	(733,630)
Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated affiliates	159,529	142,984
Distribution of proceeds from asset sales of unconsolidated affiliates	9,529
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	(1,325)	(112,262)	(40,936)
Capital expenditures	(1,518,628)	(2,042,617)	(930,277)
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	149,801	180,558	31,072
Net cash used for investing activities	(1,179,628)	(1,859,479)	(1,673,305)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	1,612	6,375	(6,298)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		697,578	696,948
Debt issuance costs	(3,433)	(7,141)	(8,934)
Payments for hedge transactions			(5,667)
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	710,000	1,560,000	600,000
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	(3,625)	11,605	8,201
Reduction in long-term debt	(276,258)	(1,404,281)	(398,514)
Reduction in revolving credit facilities	(680,000)	(700,000)	(600,000)
Repurchase of equity component of convertible debt		(12)	(4,712)
Settlement of call options and warrants, net			1,134
Purchase of restricted stock	(2,160)	(2,626)	(1,935)
Tax benefit related to share-based awards	(263)	1,747	31
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(254,127)	163,245	280,254
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,603)	(3,380)	(46)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	126,347	(243,127)	(286,113)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	398,575	641,702	927,815
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	524,922	398,575	641,702
Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	7,253	6,612	115,179
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	(35)
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates		(26,235)	(122,300)
Net cash used for investing activities	(35)	(26,235)	(122,300)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	(3,622)	11,605	8,201
Purchase of restricted stock	(2,160)	(2,626)	(1,935)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(5,782)	8,979	6,266
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,436	(10,644)	(855)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	203	10,847	11,702
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,639	203	10,847
Nabors Delaware (Issuer/Guarantor)
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	39,708	(109,125)	3,697
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates		(65,000)	(1,027,134)
Changes in intercompany balances	274,482	77,947	753,648
Net cash used for investing activities	274,482	12,947	(273,486)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		697,578	696,948
Debt issuance costs	(3,433)	(7,141)	(8,934)
Payments for hedge transactions			(5,667)
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	710,000	1,510,000	600,000
Reduction in long-term debt	(224,997)	(1,404,246)	(274,095)
Reduction in revolving credit facilities	(680,000)	(700,000)	(600,000)
Repurchase of equity component of convertible debt		(12)	(4,712)
Settlement of call options and warrants, net			1,134
Cash dividends paid	(9,003)		(135,000)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(207,433)	96,179	269,674
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	106,757	1	(115)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	21	20	135
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	106,778	21	20
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	1,546,250	1,559,000	1,258,108
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(949)	(11,746)	(34,147)
Sales and maturities of investments	31,944	39,063	34,613
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net		(55,459)	(733,630)
Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated affiliates	150,000
Distribution of proceeds from asset sales of unconsolidated affiliates	9,529	142,984
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	(1,325)	(112,262)	(40,936)
Capital expenditures	(1,518,628)	(2,042,617)	(930,277)
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	149,801	180,558	31,072
Changes in intercompany balances	(274,482)	(77,947)	(753,648)
Net cash used for investing activities	(1,454,110)	(1,937,426)	(2,426,953)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	1,612	6,375	(6,298)
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities		50,000
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	(3)
Reduction in long-term debt	(51,261)	(35)	(124,419)
Tax benefit related to share-based awards	(263)	1,747	31
Proceeds from parent contributions	35	91,235	1,149,434
Cash dividends paid	(21,503)		(135,000)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(71,383)	149,322	883,748
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,603)	(3,380)	(46)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	18,154	(232,484)	(285,143)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	398,351	630,835	915,978
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	416,505	398,351	630,835
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	(30,506)		(270,000)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	35
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates		91,235	1,149,434
Net cash used for investing activities	35	91,235	1,149,434
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from parent contributions	(35)	(91,235)	(1,149,434)
Cash dividends paid	30,506		270,000
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	$ 30,471	$ (91,235)	$ (879,434)