CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 99,121	$ 134,090
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(23,265)	17,266
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	10,139	12,223
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income (loss) (Note 11)	(75,974)	(12,465)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(65,835)	(242)
Pension liability amortization	281	260
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	153	191
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(88,666)	17,475
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(214)	(3,724)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(88,452)	21,199
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	10,669	155,289
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	97	(267)
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,414)	243
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,317)	(24)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 9,352	$ 155,265