Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	$ 605,011	$ 1,244,344
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(8)	(319)
Sales and maturities of investments	859	23,580
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	(57,909)	(10,200)
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	(445)	(2,061)
Proceeds from merger transaction	650,050
Capital expenditures	(744,047)	(1,344,222)
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	30,164	129,825
Other	1,700	(3,931)
Net cash used for investing activities	(119,636)	(1,207,328)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	363	(3,867)
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	1,198	30,240
Dividends to shareholders	(52,489)	(41,781)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	2,792
Proceeds from (payments for) commercial paper, net	(162,544)	441,530
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities		15,000
Reduction in revolving credit facilities	(450,000)	(70,000)
Purchase of preferred stock		(70,875)
Reduction in long term debt		(40,098)
Proceeds from term loan facility	300,000
Payments on term loan facility	(300,000)
Payments on term loan	(300,000)
Reduction in short-term debt		(10,000)
Purchase of treasury stock	(44,978)	(250,037)
Other	(7,534)	(7,581)
Net cash used for financing activities	(713,192)	(7,469)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(21,966)	(15,009)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(249,783)	14,538
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	501,149	389,915	$ 389,915
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	251,366	404,453	501,149
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	39,956	(7,632)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from merger transaction	5,500
Net cash used for investing activities	5,500
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	1,198	30,240
Dividends to shareholders	(59,470)	(45,758)
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of parent common shares to affiliates		16,424
Proceeds from issuance of intercompany debt	47,000	35,000
Paydown of intercompany debt	(27,000)	(19,000)
Other	(7,534)	(7,581)
Net cash used for financing activities	(45,806)	9,325
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(350)	1,693
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,170	730	730
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	820	2,423	1,170
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors Delaware (Issuer)
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	(188,781)	(22,760)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from merger transaction	646,078
Changes in intercompany balances	67,194	(355,792)
Net cash used for investing activities	713,272	(355,792)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from (payments for) commercial paper, net	(162,544)	441,530
Reduction in revolving credit facilities	(450,000)	(70,000)
Proceeds from term loan facility	300,000
Payments on term loan facility	(300,000)
Payments on term loan	(300,000)
Proceeds from issuance of intercompany debt	88,058
Net cash used for financing activities	(524,486)	371,530
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5	(7,022)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	7	7,029	7,029
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	12	7	7
Reportable Legal Entities | Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	782,139	1,262,289
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(8)	(319)
Sales and maturities of investments	859	23,580
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	(57,909)	(10,200)
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	(445)	(2,061)
Proceeds from merger transaction	(1,528)
Capital expenditures	(744,047)	(1,344,222)
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	30,164	129,825
Other	1,700	(3,931)
Changes in intercompany balances	(67,194)	355,792
Net cash used for investing activities	(838,408)	(851,536)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	363	(3,867)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	2,792
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities		15,000
Purchase of preferred stock		(70,875)
Reduction in long term debt		(40,098)
Reduction in short-term debt		(10,000)
Purchase of treasury stock	(44,978)	(250,037)
Proceeds from issuance of intercompany debt	(135,058)	(35,000)
Paydown of intercompany debt	27,000	19,000
Payments on parent (Equity or N/P)	(21,322)
Net cash used for financing activities	(171,203)	(375,877)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(21,966)	(15,009)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(249,438)	19,867
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	499,972	382,156	382,156
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	250,534	402,023	$ 499,972
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	(28,303)	12,447
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends to shareholders	6,981	3,977
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of parent common shares to affiliates		(16,424)
Payments on parent (Equity or N/P)	21,322
Net cash used for financing activities	$ 28,303	$ (12,447)