Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ 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
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information
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
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)
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