Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) 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)
Cash dividends paid	(12,900)	(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 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
Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities		1,144	10,693
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid		(12,891)
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares		1,027	(5,319)
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares to affiliates		12,800
Purchase of restricted stock		(2,773)	(1,769)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities		(1,837)	(7,088)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(693)	3,605
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		1,639	203
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		946	3,808
Nabors Delaware (Issuer)
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities		(138,791)	(90,170)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates		(100,000)
Changes in intercompany balances		54,192	(59,830)
Net cash used for investing activities		(45,808)	(59,830)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving credit facility			150,000
Proceeds from parent contributions		100,000
Other		(89)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities		99,911	150,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(84,688)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		106,778	21
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		22,090	21
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities		308,348	336,160
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
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates		(200,000)
Changes in intercompany balances		(54,192)	59,830
Net cash used for investing activities		(378,318)	(369,849)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts		(1,975)	(2,269)
Cash dividends paid			(12,500)
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares			(1)
Proceeds from parent contributions		200,000
Reduction in long-term debt			(1,072)
Tax benefit related to share-based awards		(4)	(31)
Other		55
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities		198,076	(15,873)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(2,759)	1,404
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		125,347	(48,158)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		416,505	398,351
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		541,852	350,193
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities		12,800	(12,500)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates		300,000
Net cash used for investing activities		300,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid			12,500
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares to affiliates		(12,800)
Proceeds from parent contributions		(300,000)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities		$ (312,800)	$ 12,500