CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 27,077	$ 75,656	$ (72,789)	$ 134,090	$ (105,850)	$ 74,256	$ 192,448	$ 82,825	$ 164,034	$ 243,679	$ 94,695
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors									21,073	(20,257)	60,897
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities									98,138	5,356	278
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income (loss)									(13,405)	(3,036)	(1,694)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities									84,733	2,320	(1,416)
Pension liability amortization									(324)	(5,391)	(376)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges									702	763	(5,282)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax									106,184	(22,565)	53,823
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									(4,147)	(1,777)	4,477
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									110,331	(20,788)	49,346
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors									274,365	222,891	144,041
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,074	988	(1,174)	(267)	1,400	708	(394)	(669)	621	1,045	85
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest									311	(185)	723
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									932	860	808
Comprehensive income (loss)									$ 275,297	$ 223,751	$ 144,849