Represents the amount of per-occurrence deductible which the entity has on its automobile insurance claims.

No definition available.

Name:	nbr_AutomobileClaimsDeductible
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount of employer's liability claims subject to per-occurrence deductible.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nbr_EmployersLiabilityClaimsSubjectToPerOccurrenceDeductible
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount of general liability claims subject to per-occurrence deductible.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nbr_GeneralLiabilityClaimsSubjectToPerOccurrenceDeductible
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Estimated amount of loss resulting from an adverse tax position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (d)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount the liability recorded for the income tax examination increased or decreased in the current year/accounting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013 Mexico	Sep. 30, 2013 Mexico Minimum	Sep. 30, 2013 Mexico Maximum
Income tax contingencies
Aggregate remaining amounts assessed or expected to assessed range			$ 30	$ 35
Reduction in reserves		20
Employer's liability claims subject to per-occurrence deductible	2.0
Workers automobile claims	1.0
General liability claims subject to per-occurrence deductible	$ 5.0