CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues									$ 6,060,351	$ 4,134,483	$ 3,662,220
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(2,700)	33,700	9,300	16,300	4,900	11,800	8,900	7,700	56,647	33,267	(155,432)
Investment income (loss)									19,940	7,263	25,522
Total revenues and other income									6,136,938	4,175,013	3,532,310
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs									3,775,964	2,400,519	1,981,504
General and administrative expenses									489,892	338,720	421,492
Depreciation and amortization									924,094	760,962	663,958
Interest expense									256,633	272,712	266,047
Losses (gains) on sales and retirements of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net									4,514	47,238	11,982
Impairments and other charges									198,072	61,292	118,543
Total costs and other deductions									5,649,169	3,881,443	3,463,526
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax									487,769	293,570	68,784
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current									109,702	(77,209)	71,458
Deferred									32,903	114,159	(135,395)
Total income tax expense (benefit)									142,605	36,950	(63,937)
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend									3,000	750
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	89,535	87,190	70,887	94,552	152,097	12,347	44,949	46,477	342,164	255,870	132,721
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(193,985)	(12,226)	121,167	(12,396)	(100,323)	(51,501)	(1,887)	(7,379)	(97,440)	(161,090)	(218,609)
Net income (loss)									244,724	94,780	(85,888)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,400)	(708)	394	669	(1,293)	(453)	559	1,102	(1,045)	(85)	342
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (105,850)	$ 74,256	$ 192,448	$ 82,825	$ 50,481	$ (39,607)	$ 43,621	$ 40,200	$ 243,679	$ 94,695	$ (85,546)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations	$ 0.31	$ 0.30	$ 0.25	$ 0.33	$ 0.53	$ 0.04	$ 0.16	$ 0.17	$ 1.19	$ 0.90	$ 0.47
Basic from discontinued operations	$ (0.68)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.42	$ (0.04)	$ (0.35)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.34)	$ (0.57)	$ (0.77)
Total Basic	$ (0.37)	$ 0.26	$ 0.67	$ 0.29	$ 0.18	$ (0.14)	$ 0.15	$ 0.14	$ (0.85)	$ 0.33	$ (0.30)
Diluted from continuing operations	$ 0.30	$ 0.30	$ 0.24	$ 0.33	$ 0.52	$ 0.04	$ 0.16	$ 0.16	$ 1.17	$ 0.88	$ 0.46
Diluted from discontinued operations	$ (0.66)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.41	$ (0.05)	$ (0.35)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.34)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.76)
Total Diluted	$ (0.36)	$ 0.25	$ 0.65	$ 0.28	$ 0.17	$ (0.14)	$ 0.15	$ 0.14	$ 0.83	$ 0.33	$ (0.30)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic									287,118	285,145	283,326
Diluted		292,484							292,484	289,996	286,502