Commitments and Contingencies (Details 3) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011 Court of Ouargla Customs Infringement	Dec. 31, 2009 Court of Ouargla Customs Infringement	Dec. 31, 2006 Court of Ouargla Customs Infringement	Dec. 31, 2012 Court of Ouargla Customs Infringement	Dec. 31, 2012 Court of Ouargla Foreign Currency Controls	Mar. 19, 2012 NGH2L	Dec. 31, 2012 NGH2L Maximum
Commitments and Contingencies, Disclosure
Amount of loss range, minimum				$ 140,000
Amount of loss range, maximum				19,700,000
Judgment against Nabors	39,100,000	19,700,000
Payment of contract amount in foreign currency			7,500,000
Payment of contract amount in domestic currency			3,200,000
Approximate multiplier of the amount at issue for fines and penalties					4
Potential judgment in excess of accrual					31,100,000
Allegedly excessive compensation							100,000,000
Escrow Deposit						$ 3,000,000