Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	$ 1,821,757	$ 1,389,842
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	321,186	207,573
Full-cost ceiling test writedown	(68,212)
Interest expense	62,654	73,966
Investment income (loss)	20,252	12,280
Gains (losses) on sales and retirements of long-lived assets and other income (expense), net	1,840	(6,159)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	212,412	139,728
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
ASSETS
Total assets	13,148,194		12,912,140
U.S. Lower 48 Land Drilling [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	495,697	378,568
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	131,581	80,095
ASSETS
Total assets	3,336,992		3,216,803
U.S. Offshore [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	69,115	30,454
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	7,732	(3,977)
ASSETS
Total assets	427,380		402,506
Alaska [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	62,293	41,315
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	27,420	11,019
ASSETS
Total assets	299,350		288,253
Canada [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	192,293	172,443
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	49,287	38,992
ASSETS
Total assets	963,416		962,239
International [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	306,465	262,477
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	21,138	35,497
ASSETS
Total assets	3,782,962		3,702,611
Other Rig Services [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	241,758	116,789
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	29,846	8,344
ASSETS
Total assets	714,918		720,775
Drilling and Rig Services [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	1,367,621	1,002,046
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	267,004	169,970
ASSETS
Total assets	9,525,018		9,293,187
U.S. Well-servicing [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	209,701	150,256
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	21,888	11,123
ASSETS
Total assets	821,740		812,049
Pressure Pumping [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	398,036	257,859
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	64,860	43,715
ASSETS
Total assets	1,562,625		1,503,298
Completion and Production Services [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	607,737	408,115
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	86,748	54,838
ASSETS
Total assets	2,384,365		2,315,347
Other reconciling items [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	(91,039)	(35,479)
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	(38,216)	(32,395)
ASSETS
Total assets	457,399		507,279
Oil and Gas [Member]
Operating revenues and earnings losses from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates from continuing operations (1)	(62,562)	15,160
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations:
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities from continuing operations: (1)(5)	5,650	15,160
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(7,802)	(10,876)
ASSETS
Total assets	$ 781,412		$ 796,327