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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 Rb1m82BbZDCD3dk5Twhu/Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-09-004634.txt : 20090224
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-09-004634.hdr.sgml : 20090224
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090224144216
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-09-004634
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090223
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090224
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090224

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001163739
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	DRILLING OIL & GAS WELLS [1381]
		IRS NUMBER:				980363970
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			D0
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MINTFLOWER PLACE
		STREET 2:		8 PAR-LA-VILLE ROAD
		CITY:			HAMILTON, HM08
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			0000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2464219471

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX HM3349
		CITY:			HAMILTON, HMPX
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			0000

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KOCH BRUCE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001195673

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-32657
		FILM NUMBER:		09630541

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		281 874 0035

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NABORS CORP SERVICES
		STREET 2:		515 W GREENS RD SUITE 1200
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77067
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-02-23</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001163739</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NBR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001195673</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KOCH BRUCE</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O NABORS CORPORATE SERVICES</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>515 WEST GREENS ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77067</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2009-02-23</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1192</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.52</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>19543</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-24</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2009-02-24</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>353</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.14</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>19190</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>s/ Lisa Wysocki by Power of Attorney for Bruce Koch</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-02-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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