Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 1,578,645	$ 1,890,426
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	2,895	(68,669)
Investment income (loss)	79,421	20,252
Total revenues and other income	1,660,961	1,842,009
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	1,026,042	1,184,816
General and administrative expenses	132,545	136,346
Depreciation and amortization	273,365	247,621
Interest expense	60,008	62,654
Losses (gains) on sales of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	59,807	(1,840)
Total costs and other deductions	1,551,767	1,629,597
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	109,194	212,412
Income tax expense (benefit)	11,272	69,044
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	750	750
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	97,172	142,618
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	2,046	(8,795)
Net income (loss)	99,218	133,823
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(97)	267
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	99,121	134,090
Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	107,873	135,879
Total revenues and other income	107,873	135,879
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	1,834	1,527
Losses (gains) on sales of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	6,918	262
Total costs and other deductions	8,752	1,789
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	99,121	134,090
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	99,121	134,090
Net income (loss)	99,121	134,090
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(97)	267
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	99,121	134,090
Nabors Delaware (Issuer)
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	42,320	54,528
Investment income (loss)	16
Intercompany interest income	29	16,932
Total revenues and other income	42,365	71,460
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	37	140
Depreciation and amortization	902	902
Interest expense	63,049	68,169
Losses (gains) on sales of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	21	(433)
Total costs and other deductions	64,009	68,778
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(21,644)	2,682
Income tax expense (benefit)	(23,667)	(19,183)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	2,023	21,865
Net income (loss)	2,023	21,865
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	2,023	21,865
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	1,578,645	1,890,426
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	2,895	(68,669)
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	2,023	28,361
Investment income (loss)	79,405	20,252
Total revenues and other income	1,662,968	1,870,370
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	1,026,042	1,184,816
General and administrative expenses	130,818	134,942
Depreciation and amortization	272,463	246,719
Interest expense	(3,041)	(5,515)
Intercompany interest expense	29	16,932
Losses (gains) on sales of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	52,724	(1,932)
Total costs and other deductions	1,479,035	1,575,962
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	183,933	294,408
Income tax expense (benefit)	34,939	88,227
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	750	750
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	148,244	205,431
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	2,046	(8,795)
Net income (loss)	150,290	196,636
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(97)	267
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	150,193	196,903
Consolidating Adjustments
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(152,216)	(218,768)
Intercompany interest income	(29)	(16,932)
Total revenues and other income	(152,245)	(235,700)
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	(144)	(263)
Intercompany interest expense	(29)	(16,932)
Losses (gains) on sales of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	144	263
Total costs and other deductions	(29)	(16,932)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(152,216)	(218,768)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(152,216)	(218,768)
Net income (loss)	(152,216)	(218,768)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	97	(267)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (152,216)	$ (218,768)