CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ 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
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
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
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors
Unrealized loss on translation adjustment									(116,239)	(79,059)	(65,447)
Less: reclassification adjustment for realized loss on translation adjustment									5,365
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors									(110,874)	(79,059)	(65,447)
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities									(15,310)	(59,932)	23,007
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income (loss)										2,337	(88,158)
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities									(15,310)	(57,595)	(65,151)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment									1,104	(5,050)	5,916
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, before Tax									613	612	613
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges									613	612	613
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax									(124,467)	(141,092)	(124,069)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									648	(2,474)	(66)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									(125,115)	(138,618)	(124,003)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors									(497,790)	(809,277)	15,979
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	$ 834	$ (320)	$ (44)	$ (89)	$ 202	$ 387	$ 253	$ 573	381	1,415	7,180
Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest									(1,461)	(1,017)	(932)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									(1,080)	398	6,248
Comprehensive income (loss)									$ (498,870)	$ (808,879)	$ 22,227