Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 1,550,819	$ 1,729,907	$ 4,544,263	$ 5,272,499
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	(2,628)	(99,527)	1,627	(302,513)
Investment income (loss)	1,229	7,224	95,471	32,844
Total revenues and other income	1,549,420	1,637,604	4,641,361	5,002,830
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	980,911	1,107,032	2,948,213	3,353,520
General and administrative expenses	127,943	130,681	390,023	398,534
Depreciation and amortization	273,444	265,637	809,019	766,441
Interest expense	56,059	63,776	176,343	190,068
Losses (gains) on sales of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	3,266	10,216	27,245	21,777
Impairments and other charges	242,241		287,241	147,503
Total costs and other deductions	1,683,864	1,577,342	4,638,084	4,877,843
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(134,444)	60,262	3,277	124,987
Income tax expense (benefit)	(44,684)	(4,977)	(28,798)	22,121
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	750	750	2,250	2,250
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(90,510)	64,489	29,825	100,616
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(14,430)	12,155	(34,292)	35,888
Net income (loss)	(104,940)	76,644	(4,467)	136,504
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(441)	(988)	(6,154)	453
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(105,381)	75,656	(10,621)	136,957
Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(102,137)	77,976	4,731	143,448
Investment income (loss)			1
Total revenues and other income	(102,137)	77,976	4,732	143,448
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	3,089	1,900	8,144	5,449
Losses (gains) on sales of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	155	420	7,209	1,042
Total costs and other deductions	3,244	2,320	15,353	6,491
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(105,381)	75,656	(10,621)	136,957
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(105,381)	75,656	(10,621)	136,957
Net income (loss)	(105,381)	75,656	(10,621)	136,957
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(105,381)	75,656	(10,621)	136,957
Nabors Delaware (Issuer)
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	88,554	(152,036)	144,574	(132,659)
Investment income (loss)	3	2	55	18
Intercompany interest income	31	17,423	92	51,433
Total revenues and other income	88,588	(134,611)	144,721	(81,208)
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	(311)	159	116	349
Depreciation and amortization	902	902	2,707	2,707
Interest expense	59,417	67,391	184,871	203,826
Losses (gains) on sales of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	211,989	(250)	211,921	(1,229)
Total costs and other deductions	271,997	68,202	399,615	205,653
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(183,409)	(202,813)	(254,894)	(286,861)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(100,626)	(18,787)	(147,803)	(57,055)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(82,783)	(184,026)	(107,091)	(229,806)
Net income (loss)	(82,783)	(184,026)	(107,091)	(229,806)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(82,783)	(184,026)	(107,091)	(229,806)
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	1,550,819	1,729,907	4,544,263	5,272,499
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	(2,628)	(99,527)	1,627	(302,513)
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(82,783)	(178,917)	(107,091)	(212,494)
Investment income (loss)	2,363	7,222	98,825	32,826
Total revenues and other income	1,467,771	1,458,685	4,537,624	4,790,318
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	980,911	1,107,032	2,948,213	3,353,520
General and administrative expenses	125,319	129,042	382,197	393,778
Depreciation and amortization	272,542	264,735	806,312	763,734
Interest expense	(3,358)	(3,615)	(8,528)	(13,758)
Intercompany interest expense	31	17,423	92	51,433
Losses (gains) on sales of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	(209,032)	9,626	(192,319)	20,922
Impairments and other charges	242,241		287,241	147,503
Total costs and other deductions	1,408,654	1,524,243	4,223,208	4,717,132
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	59,117	(65,558)	314,416	73,186
Income tax expense (benefit)	55,942	13,810	119,005	79,176
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	750	750	2,250	2,250
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	2,425	(80,118)	193,161	(8,240)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(14,430)	12,155	(34,292)	35,888
Net income (loss)	(12,005)	(67,963)	158,869	27,648
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(441)	(988)	(6,154)	453
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(12,446)	(68,951)	152,715	28,101
Consolidating Adjustments
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	96,366	252,977	(42,214)	201,705
Investment income (loss)	(1,137)		(3,410)
Intercompany interest income	(31)	(17,423)	(92)	(51,433)
Total revenues and other income	95,198	235,554	(45,716)	150,272
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	(154)	(420)	(434)	(1,042)
Intercompany interest expense	(31)	(17,423)	(92)	(51,433)
Losses (gains) on sales of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	154	420	434	1,042
Total costs and other deductions	(31)	(17,423)	(92)	(51,433)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	95,229	252,977	(45,624)	201,705
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	95,229	252,977	(45,624)	201,705
Net income (loss)	95,229	252,977	(45,624)	201,705
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 95,229	$ 252,977	$ (45,624)	$ 201,705