Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Income (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 597,571	$ 1,414,707
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(167,151)	6,502
Investment income (loss)	343	969
Total revenues and other income	430,763	1,422,178
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	365,023	919,610
General and administrative expenses	62,334	115,430
Research and Engineering	8,162	11,703
Depreciation and amortization	215,818	281,019
Interest expense	45,730	46,601
Other, net	182,404	(55,842)
Total costs and other deductions	879,471	1,318,521
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(448,708)	103,657
Income tax expense (benefit)	(52,064)	(20,705)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(396,644)	124,362
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(926)	(817)
Net income (loss)	(397,570)	123,545
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(724)	89
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(398,294)	123,634
Consolidating Adjustments
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	639,827	(13,159)
Investment income (loss)	(2,981)	(2,327)
Intercompany interest income	(160)	(2,439)
Total revenues and other income	636,686	(17,925)
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	(157)	(144)
Other, net	157	144
Intercompany interest expense	(160)	(2,439)
Total costs and other deductions	(160)	(2,439)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	636,846	(15,486)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	636,846	(15,486)
Net income (loss)	636,846	(15,486)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	636,846	(15,486)
Parent Company | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(395,770)	138,037
Total revenues and other income	(395,770)	138,037
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	2,362	2,719
Other, net	157	11,684
Intercompany interest expense	5
Total costs and other deductions	2,524	14,403
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(398,294)	123,634
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(398,294)	123,634
Net income (loss)	(398,294)	123,634
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(398,294)	123,634
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(106,087)	(46,440)
Investment income (loss)	123	5
Intercompany interest income	160	2,439
Total revenues and other income	(105,804)	(43,996)
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	131	358
Depreciation and amortization	31	612
Interest expense	50,664	52,264
Other, net	65
Total costs and other deductions	50,891	53,234
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(156,695)	(97,230)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(18,725)	(18,792)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(137,970)	(78,438)
Net income (loss)	(137,970)	(78,438)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(137,970)	(78,438)
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	597,571	1,414,707
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(167,151)	6,502
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(137,970)	(78,438)
Investment income (loss)	3,201	3,291
Total revenues and other income	295,651	1,346,062
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	365,023	919,610
General and administrative expenses	59,998	112,497
Research and Engineering	8,162	11,703
Depreciation and amortization	215,787	280,407
Interest expense	(4,934)	(5,663)
Other, net	182,025	(67,670)
Intercompany interest expense	155	2,439
Total costs and other deductions	826,216	1,253,323
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(530,565)	92,739
Income tax expense (benefit)	(33,339)	(1,913)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(497,226)	94,652
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(926)	(817)
Net income (loss)	(498,152)	93,835
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(724)	89
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (498,876)	$ 93,924