Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details) (USD $)	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
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 61,700,000				$ 371,000,000				$ 61,700,000	$ 371,000,000
Summarized financial data for investment in unconsolidated affiliates
Nabors' earnings (losses) from our U.S. oil and gas joint venture	1,200,000	(99,500,000)	(134,300,000)	(68,700,000)	(2,700,000)	33,700,000	9,300,000	16,300,000	(301,320,000)	56,647,000	33,267,000
U.S. unconsolidated joint oil and gas venture
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	4,100,000				13,700,000				4,100,000	13,700,000
Joint Venture in Saudi Arabia
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Ownership percentage	51.00%								51.00%
Assets held for sale
Summarized financial data for investment in unconsolidated affiliates
Current assets	174,977,000				311,972,000				174,977,000	311,972,000
Long-term assets	161,207,000				1,728,399,000				161,207,000	1,728,399,000
Current liabilities	194,504,000				275,171,000				194,504,000	275,171,000
Long-term liabilities	3,389,000				800,444,000				3,389,000	800,444,000
Gross revenues									758,140,000	832,774,000	901,742,000
Gross margin									207,813,000	278,019,000	241,831,000
Net income (loss)									(619,591,000)	270,161,000	48,426,000
Nabors' earnings (losses) from our U.S. oil and gas joint venture									(301,320,000)	56,647,000	33,267,000
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates included in discontinued operations, net of tax										$ 76,500,000	$ (10,600,000)