Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information (Details 6) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities that were reclassified from net income
Investment income (loss)	$ 980	$ 79,421
Interest expense	44,810	60,011
General and administrative expenses	134,266	130,878
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	63,735	102,811
Tax expense (benefit)	(14,008)	(9,854)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	49,919	99,121
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities | Reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income (loss)
Unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities that were reclassified from net income
Investment income (loss)		(75,974)
Investment income (loss), income taxes	0	(451)
Interest expense	(153)	(153)
Interest expense, income taxes	60	59
General and administrative expenses	(123)	(281)
General and administrative expenses, income taxes	48	108
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	276	(75,540)
Tax expense (benefit)	108	(284)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 168	$ (75,256)