Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statements of Other Comprehensive Income
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 49,919	$ 99,121
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(36,594)	(23,265)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(19,208)	10,139
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses on marketable securities		(75,974)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(19,208)	(65,835)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	123	281
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153	153
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(55,526)	(88,666)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	148	(214)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(55,674)	(88,452)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(5,755)	10,669
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	573	97
Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest	481	1,414
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	92	(1,317)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(5,663)	9,352
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	573	97
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)
Statements of Other Comprehensive Income
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	49,919	99,121
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(36,594)	(23,265)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities		10,139
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses on marketable securities		(75,974)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(19,208)	(65,835)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	123	281
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153	153
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(55,526)	(88,666)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	148	(214)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(55,674)	(88,452)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(5,755)	10,669
Comprehensive income (loss)	(5,755)	10,669
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors Delaware (Issuer)
Statements of Other Comprehensive Income
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(40,089)	2,023
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(216)	(52)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities		185
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses on marketable securities		(1,186)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities		(1,001)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	123	281
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153	153
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	60	(619)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	148	(214)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(88)	(405)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(40,177)	1,618
Comprehensive income (loss)	(40,177)	1,618
Reportable Legal Entities | Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)
Statements of Other Comprehensive Income
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	44,959	150,193
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(36,813)	(23,317)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities		10,324
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses on marketable securities		(77,160)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(19,208)	(66,836)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	246	562
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153	153
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(55,622)	(89,438)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	236	(487)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(55,858)	(88,951)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(10,899)	61,242
Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest	(481)	(1,414)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	92	(1,317)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(10,807)	59,925
Consolidating Adjustments
Statements of Other Comprehensive Income
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(4,870)	(152,216)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	37,029	23,369
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities		(10,509)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses on marketable securities		78,346
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	19,208	67,837
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	(369)	(843)
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	(306)	(306)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	55,562	90,057
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(384)	701
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	55,946	89,356
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	51,076	(62,860)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 51,076	$ (62,860)