CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 1,737,114	$ 1,343,642	$ 3,627,540	$ 2,717,210
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(134,317)	9,308	(202,986)	25,582
Investment income (loss)	5,368	(975)	25,620	11,305
Total revenues and other income	1,608,165	1,351,975	3,450,174	2,754,097
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	1,123,256	827,450	2,308,072	1,668,558
General and administrative expenses	133,612	122,970	269,958	238,921
Depreciation and amortization	261,016	225,042	508,637	450,252
Interest expense	63,459	63,755	126,113	137,721
Losses (gains) on sales and retirements of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	13,414	4,348	11,574	10,507
Impairments and other charges	147,503		147,503
Total costs and other deductions	1,742,260	1,243,565	3,371,857	2,505,959
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(134,095)	108,410	78,317	248,138
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	34,698	7,849	60,704	27,538
Deferred	(70,890)	28,924	(27,852)	53,661
Total income tax expense	(36,192)	36,773	32,852	81,199
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	750	750	1,500	1,500
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(98,653)	70,887	43,965	165,439
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	24,690	121,167	15,895	108,771
Net income (loss)	(73,963)	192,054	59,860	274,210
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,174	394	1,441	1,063
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (72,789)	$ 192,448	$ 61,301	$ 275,273
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations	$ (0.34)	$ 0.25	$ 0.16	$ 0.58
Basic from discontinued operations	$ 0.09	$ 0.42	$ 0.05	$ 0.38
Total Basic	$ (0.25)	$ 0.67	$ 0.21	$ 0.96
Diluted from continuing operations	$ (0.34)	$ 0.24	$ 0.16	$ 0.57
Diluted from discontinued operations	$ 0.09	$ 0.41	$ 0.05	$ 0.37
Total Diluted	$ (0.25)	$ 0.65	$ 0.21	$ 0.94
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	290,311	287,311	289,550	286,712
Diluted	290,311	294,298	292,185	293,493