Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities that were reclassified from net income
Investment income (loss)	$ 1,181	$ 7,066	$ 2,150	$ 8,046
General and administrative expenses	86,290	133,630	213,423	267,896
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	24,555	77,719	128,212	141,454
Tax expense (benefit)	(66,445)	(10,756)	(45,740)	(24,764)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(36,821)	64,444	86,813	114,363
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)		4,903		4,903
Interest expense	153	153	306	306
General and administrative expenses	276	123	552	246
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long- lived assets and other expense (income), net			(5,365)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	(429)	4,627	(6,223)	4,351
Tax expense (benefit)	(161)	837	(323)	729
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (268)	$ 3,790	$ (5,900)	$ 3,622