Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 134,090	$ 82,825
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	17,266	31,439
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	12,223	6,308
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income (loss)	12,465	3
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	(242)	6,305
Defined benefit pension plans:
Pension liability amortization	260	151
Pension liability adjustment
Defined benefit pension plans	260	151
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of (gains)/losses on cash flow hedges	191	191
Other comprehensive income, before tax	17,475	38,086
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	(3,724)	182
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	21,199	37,904
Comprehensive income	155,289	120,729
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(267)	(669)
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	243	357
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(24)	(312)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nabors	155,265	120,417
Nabors (Parent/Guarantor) [Member]
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	134,090	82,825
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	17,266	31,439
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	12,223	6,308
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income (loss)	12,465	3
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	(242)	6,305
Defined benefit pension plans:
Pension liability amortization	260	151
Pension liability adjustment
Defined benefit pension plans	260	151
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of (gains)/losses on cash flow hedges	191	191
Other comprehensive income, before tax	17,475	38,086
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	(3,724)	(182)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	21,199	37,904
Comprehensive income	155,289	120,729
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(267)	(669)
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	243	357
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(24)	(312)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nabors	155,265	120,417
Nabors Delaware (Issuer/Guarantor) [Member]
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	21,865	22,652
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(53)	(21)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	64	39
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income (loss)	10,288
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	(10,224)	39
Defined benefit pension plans:
Pension liability amortization	260	151
Pension liability adjustment
Defined benefit pension plans	260	151
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of (gains)/losses on cash flow hedges	191	71
Other comprehensive income, before tax	(9,826)	240
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	(3,723)	65
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(6,103)	305
Comprehensive income	15,762	22,957
Comprehensive income attributable to Nabors	15,762	22,957
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) [Member]
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	196,903	152,693
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	17,213	31,419
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	12,287	6,221
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income (loss)	22,753	3
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	(10,466)	6,218
Defined benefit pension plans:
Pension liability amortization	520	302
Pension liability adjustment
Defined benefit pension plans	520	302
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of (gains)/losses on cash flow hedges	191	71
Other comprehensive income, before tax	7,458	38,010
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	(7,506)	70
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	14,964	38,080
Comprehensive income	211,867	190,773
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(267)	(669)
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	243	357
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(24)	(312)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nabors	211,843	190,461
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	(218,768)	(175,345)
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(17,160)	(31,398)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(12,351)	(6,260)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income (loss)	(33,041)	(3)
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	20,690	(6,257)
Defined benefit pension plans:
Pension liability amortization	(780)	(453)
Pension liability adjustment
Defined benefit pension plans	(780)	(453)
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of (gains)/losses on cash flow hedges	(382)	(142)
Other comprehensive income, before tax	2,368	(38,250)
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	11,229	(135)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(8,861)	(38,385)
Comprehensive income	(227,629)	(213,730)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	267	669
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	(243)	(357)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	24	312
Comprehensive income attributable to Nabors	$ (227,605)	$ (213,418)