Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities that were reclassified from net income
Investment income (loss)	$ (22)	$ 2,189	$ 2,128	$ 10,235
General and administrative expenses	81,748	138,967	295,171	406,863
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	(331,777)	163,941	(203,565)	305,395
Tax expense (benefit)	80,898	(61,511)	35,158	(86,275)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(295,834)	106,048	(209,021)	220,411
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | 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)		4,636
Interest expense	153	153	459	459
General and administrative expenses	276	123	828	369
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)	(543)	(6,652)	3,808
Tax expense (benefit)	162	141	485	(588)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (267)	$ (402)	$ (6,167)	$ 3,220