CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 1,890,426	$ 1,373,568
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(68,669)	16,274
Investment income (loss)	20,252	12,280
Total revenues and other income	1,842,009	1,402,122
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	1,184,816	841,108
General and administrative expenses	136,346	115,951
Depreciation and amortization	247,621	225,210
Interest expense	62,654	73,966
Losses (gains) on sales and retirements of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	(1,840)	6,159
Total costs and other deductions	1,629,597	1,262,394
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	212,412	139,728
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	26,006	19,689
Deferred	43,038	24,737
Total income tax expense (benefit)	69,044	44,426
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	750	750
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	142,618	94,552
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(8,795)	(12,396)
Net income (loss)	133,823	82,156
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	267	669
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 134,090	$ 82,825
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations	$ 0.50	$ 0.33
Basic from discontinued operations	$ (0.04)	$ (0.04)
Total Basic	$ 0.46	$ 0.29
Diluted from continuing operations	$ 0.49	$ 0.33
Diluted from discontinued operations	$ (0.03)	$ (0.05)
Total Diluted	$ 0.46	$ 0.28
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	288,538	286,114
Diluted	291,709	292,689