CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues and Other Income
Operating revenues	$ 738,872	$ 847,553	$ 863,305	$ 1,414,707	$ 1,783,836	$ 1,813,762	$ 1,616,981	$ 1,589,618	$ 3,864,437	$ 6,804,197	$ 6,152,015
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates									(75,081)	(6,301)	39
Investment income (loss)									2,308	11,831	96,577
Total revenues and other income									3,791,664	6,809,727	6,248,631
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs									2,371,436	4,505,064	3,981,828
General and administrative expenses									324,328	500,036	479,890
Research and Engineering									41,253	49,698	45,440
Depreciation and amortization									970,459	1,145,100	1,086,677
Interest expense									181,928	177,948	223,418
Impairment and other charges									368,967	1,027,423	287,241
Other, net									(39,172)	9,073	37,977
Total costs and other deductions									4,219,199	7,414,342	6,142,471
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(427,535)	(604,615)	106,160
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									89,865	302,313	39,865
Deferred									(187,903)	(239,647)	(95,046)
Total income tax expense (benefit)									(98,038)	62,666	(55,181)
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend										1,984	3,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(161,090)	(250,879)	(41,890)	124,362	(886,401)	102,430	65,729	48,977	(329,497)	(669,265)	158,341
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,730)	(45,275)	5,025	(817)	(4,467)	4,005	(1,032)	1,515	(42,797)	21	(11,179)
Net income (loss)									(372,294)	(669,244)	147,162
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(834)	320	44	89	(202)	(387)	(253)	(573)	(381)	(1,415)	(7,180)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (163,654)	$ (295,834)	$ (36,821)	$ 123,634	$ (891,070)	$ 106,048	$ 64,444	$ 49,919	$ (372,675)	$ (670,659)	$ 139,982
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.57)	$ (0.86)	$ (0.14)	$ 0.43	$ (3.06)	$ 0.34	$ 0.21	$ 0.16	$ (1.14)	$ (2.28)	$ 0.51
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	(0.16)	0.01		(0.02)	0.02		0.01	(0.15)		(0.04)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(0.58)	(1.02)	(0.13)	0.43	(3.08)	0.36	0.21	0.17	(1.29)	(2.28)	0.47
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.57)	(0.86)	(0.14)	0.43	(3.06)	0.34	0.21	0.16	(1.14)	(2.28)	0.51
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	(0.16)	0.01	(0.01)	(0.02)	0.01			(0.15)		(0.04)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.58)	$ (1.02)	$ (0.13)	$ 0.42	$ (3.08)	$ 0.35	$ 0.21	$ 0.16	$ (1.29)	$ (2.28)	$ 0.47
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)									282,982	290,694	294,182
Diluted (in shares)									282,982	290,694	296,592