Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information (Details 6) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities that were reclassified from net income
Investment income (loss)	$ 2,189	$ 1,229	$ 10,235	$ 95,471
Interest expense	43,138	56,059	134,251	176,343
General and administrative expenses	138,967	127,943	406,863	390,023
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	163,941	(134,444)	305,395	3,277
Tax expense (benefit)	(61,511)	44,684	(86,275)	28,798
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	106,048	(105,381)	220,411	(10,621)
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)	(267)	2	4,636	88,159
Interest expense	153	153	459	459
General and administrative expenses	123	280	369	842
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	(543)	(431)	3,808	86,858
Tax expense (benefit)	(141)	(168)	588	2,198
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (402)	$ (263)	$ 3,220	$ 84,660