CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 99,121	$ 134,090
Adjustments to net income (loss):
Depreciation and amortization	273,423	247,661
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(5,371)	38,802
Losses (gains) on investments, net	(78,655)	(19,323)
Share-based compensation	32,853	4,454
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	4,316	(435)
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends	(2,896)	68,668
Other	12,925	5,620
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(61,399)	(137,696)
Inventory	5,500	7,883
Other current assets	(33,829)	(7,191)
Other long-term assets	16,233	7,620
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(58,924)	(119,195)
Income taxes payable	11,327	7,390
Other long-term liabilities	(31,123)	5,835
Net cash provided by operating activities	183,501	244,183
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments		(791)
Sales and maturities of investments	142,336	23,478
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	(12)
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	(37,516)
Capital expenditures	(235,539)	(473,687)
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	6,605	21,321
Net cash used for investing activities	(124,126)	(429,679)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	(1,975)	(2,269)
Dividends to shareholders	(12,891)
Proceeds from revolving credit facility		150,000
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	1,027	(5,320)
Reduction in long-term debt		(1,072)
Purchase of restricted stock	(2,773)	(1,769)
Tax (expense) benefit related to share-based awards	(4)	(31)
Other	(34)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(16,650)	139,539
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,759)	1,404
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	39,966	(44,553)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	524,922	398,575
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 564,888	$ 354,022