CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 1,589,618	$ 1,535,478
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(2,445)	2,895
Investment income (loss)	980	79,421
Total revenues and other income	1,588,153	1,617,794
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	1,061,739	994,992
General and administrative expenses	134,266	130,878
Depreciation and amortization	282,127	269,365
Interest expense	44,810	60,011
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	1,476	59,737
Total costs and other deductions	1,524,418	1,514,983
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	63,735	102,811
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	13,658	18,829
Deferred	350	(8,975)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	14,008	9,854
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	750	750
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	48,977	92,207
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,515	7,011
Net income (loss)	50,492	99,218
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(573)	(97)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 49,919	$ 99,121
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.31
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.03
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ 0.34
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.31
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ 0.02
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.33
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	296,210	291,687
Diluted (in shares)	299,050	294,170