Debt (Details 2) (USD $)		6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 Revolving Credit Facility	Jun. 30, 2013 Revolving Credit Facility Minimum	Jun. 30, 2013 Commercial paper	Jun. 30, 2013 Commercial paper Nabors Delaware	Apr. 30, 2013 Commercial paper Nabors Delaware	Apr. 30, 2013 Commercial paper Nabors Delaware Maximum
Debt
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 1,500,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity term						397 days
Remaining period to maturity		1 year
Debt issued				295,000,000
Borrowing capacity under revolving credit facilities	1,200,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,500,000,000
Weighted average interest rate on revolving credit facilities (as a percent)	1.54%		0.40%