CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 164,034	$ 243,679	$ 94,695
Adjustments to net income (loss):
Depreciation and amortization	1,055,757	927,460	766,519
Depletion and other exploratory expenses	2,573	44,551	27,002
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(145,147)	(34,739)	55,964
Deferred financing costs amortization	4,294	5,107	5,431
Pension liability amortization and adjustments	1,064	818	664
Discount amortization on long-term debt	1,908	27,042	70,719
Amortization of loss on hedges	695	927	786
Impairments and other charges	311,541	460,971	260,931
Losses (gains) on long-lived assets, net	(51,585)	(51,945)	(1,050)
Losses (gains) on investments, net	(56,925)	(12,486)	191
Losses (gains) on debt retirement, net		58	7,042
Losses (gains) on derivative instruments	103	234	2,471
Gains on acquisitions		(13,114)
Share-based compensation	18,312	21,244	13,746
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	4,819	5,725	17,880
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends	312,319	(132,388)	(13,630)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	200,537	(459,455)	(249,725)
Inventory	14,447	(114,896)	(15,201)
Other current assets	(42,743)	(24,820)	6,589
Other long-term assets	(38,468)	71,867	7,509
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(223,199)	517,615	70,463
Income taxes payable	(1,488)	999	(19,208)
Other long-term liabilities	29,857	(27,967)	(2,804)
Net cash provided by 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
Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated affiliates	159,529	142,984
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net		(55,459)	(733,630)
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 (expense) 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