Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, 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 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)	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
Nabors Delaware (Issuer)
Revenues and other income:
Investment income (loss)		16
Costs and other deductions:
Depreciation and amortization	902	902
Interest expense	49,369	63,049
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	1,589,618	1,535,478
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	(2,445)	2,895
Investment income (loss)	2,116	79,405
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	1,061,739	994,992
Depreciation and amortization	281,225	268,463
Interest expense	(4,559)	(3,038)
Income tax expense (benefit)	32,408	33,521
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	750	750
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,515	7,011
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(573)	(97)
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	52,583	107,873
Total revenues and other income	52,583	107,873
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	2,453	1,834
Intercompany interest expense	62
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	149	6,918
Total costs and other deductions	2,664	8,752
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	49,919	99,121
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	49,919	99,121
Net income (loss)	49,919	99,121
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	49,919	99,121
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors Delaware (Issuer)
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(8,760)	42,320
Intercompany interest income		29
Total revenues and other income	(8,760)	42,365
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	(319)	37
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	(223)	21
Total costs and other deductions	49,729	64,009
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	(58,489)	(21,644)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(18,400)	(23,667)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(40,089)	2,023
Net income (loss)	(40,089)	2,023
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(40,089)	2,023
Reportable Legal Entities | Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(40,089)	2,023
Total revenues and other income	1,549,200	1,619,801
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	132,281	129,151
Intercompany interest expense	(62)	29
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	1,401	52,654
Total costs and other deductions	1,472,025	1,442,251
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	77,175	177,550
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	44,017	143,279
Net income (loss)	45,532	150,290
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	44,959	150,193
Consolidating Adjustments
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(3,734)	(152,216)
Investment income (loss)	(1,136)
Intercompany interest income		(29)
Total revenues and other income	(4,870)	(152,245)
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	(149)	(144)
Intercompany interest expense		(29)
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	149	144
Total costs and other deductions		(29)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	(4,870)	(152,216)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(4,870)	(152,216)
Net income (loss)	(4,870)	(152,216)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (4,870)	$ (152,216)