CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ 134,090	$ 82,825
Adjustments to net income (loss):
Depreciation and amortization	247,745	226,071
Depletion and other exploratory expenses		16,265
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	38,802	20,925
Deferred financing costs amortization	1,091	1,586
Pension liability amortization and adjustments	259	150
Discount amortization on long-term debt	496	17,515
Amortization of loss on hedges	232	231
Losses (gains) on long-lived assets, net	3,368	1,084
Losses (gains) on investments, net	(19,323)	(11,082)
Losses (gains) on debt retirement, net		58
Losses (gains) on derivative instruments	90	83
Share-based compensation	4,454	3,945
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	(435)	(409)
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends	68,668	(13,776)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(137,696)	(121,572)
Inventory	7,883	(35,220)
Other current assets	(7,191)	4,554
Other long-term assets	7,620	47,665
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(119,195)	44,075
Income taxes payable	7,390	1,096
Other long-term liabilities	5,835	4,855
Net cash provided by operating activities	244,183	290,924
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(791)	(5,870)
Sales and maturities of investments	23,478	3,529
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates		(19,000)
Capital expenditures	(473,687)	(358,574)
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	21,321	5,491
Net cash used for investing activities	(429,679)	(374,424)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	(2,269)	7,565
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	150,000
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	(5,320)	9,424
Reduction in long-term debt	(1,072)	(5,560)
Repurchase of equity component of convertible debt		(14)
Purchase of restricted stock	(1,769)	(2,340)
Tax benefit related to share-based awards	(31)	(1)
Net cash provided by financing activities	139,539	9,074
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,404	2,460
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(44,553)	(71,966)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	398,575	641,702
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 354,022	$ 569,736