Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 571,591		$ 863,305	$ 1,169,162	$ 2,278,012
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(54,769)	$ (54,788)	(1,116)	(221,920)	5,386
Investment income (loss)	270		1,181	613	2,150
Total revenues and other income	517,092		863,370	947,855	2,285,548
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	341,279		488,522	706,302	1,408,132
General and administrative expenses	56,624		75,810	118,958	191,240
Research and Engineering	8,180		10,480	16,342	22,183
Depreciation and amortization	218,913		218,196	434,731	499,215
Interest expense	45,237		44,469	90,967	91,070
Other, net	74,607		1,338	257,011	(54,504)
Total costs and other deductions	744,840		838,815	1,624,311	2,157,336
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(227,748)		24,555	(676,456)	128,212
Income tax expense (benefit)	(41,183)		66,445	(93,247)	45,740
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(186,565)		(41,890)	(583,209)	82,472
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(984)		5,025	(1,910)	4,208
Net income (loss)	(187,549)		(36,865)	(585,119)	86,680
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,899		44	2,175	133
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(184,650)		(36,821)	(582,944)	86,813
Consolidating Adjustments
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	248,364		(44,533)	888,191	(57,692)
Investment income (loss)	(2,981)		(2,327)	(5,962)	(4,654)
Intercompany interest income	(104)		(2,187)	(264)	(4,626)
Total revenues and other income	245,279		(49,047)	881,965	(66,972)
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	(157)		(140)	(314)	(284)
Other, net	157		140	314	284
Intercompany interest expense	(104)		(2,187)	(264)	(4,626)
Total costs and other deductions	(104)		(2,187)	(264)	(4,626)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	245,383		(46,860)	882,229	(62,346)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	245,383		(46,860)	882,229	(62,346)
Net income (loss)	245,383		(46,860)	882,229	(62,346)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	245,383		(46,860)	882,229	(62,346)
Parent Company | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(182,149)		(34,151)	(577,919)	103,886
Investment income (loss)	1			1
Intercompany interest income	9			9
Total revenues and other income	(182,139)		(34,151)	(577,909)	103,886
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	2,352		2,112	4,714	4,831
Interest expense			(1)		(1)
Other, net	159		535	316	12,219
Intercompany interest expense			24	5	24
Total costs and other deductions	2,511		2,670	5,035	17,073
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(184,650)		(36,821)	(582,944)	86,813
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(184,650)		(36,821)	(582,944)	86,813
Net income (loss)	(184,650)		(36,821)	(582,944)	86,813
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(184,650)		(36,821)	(582,944)	86,813
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(17,025)		53,933	(123,112)	7,493
Investment income (loss)	9		555	132	560
Intercompany interest income	95		2,187	255	4,626
Total revenues and other income	(16,921)		56,675	(122,725)	12,679
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	135		(681)	266	(323)
Depreciation and amortization	31		31	62	643
Interest expense	51,059		49,713	101,723	101,977
Other, net	(65)
Total costs and other deductions	51,160		49,063	102,051	102,297
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(68,081)		7,612	(224,776)	(89,618)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(18,891)		(17,139)	(37,616)	(35,931)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(49,190)		24,751	(187,160)	(53,687)
Net income (loss)	(49,190)		24,751	(187,160)	(53,687)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(49,190)		24,751	(187,160)	(53,687)
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	571,591		863,305	1,169,162	2,278,012
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	(54,769)		(1,116)	(221,920)	5,386
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(49,190)		24,751	(187,160)	(53,687)
Investment income (loss)	3,241		2,953	6,442	6,244
Total revenues and other income	470,873		889,893	766,524	2,235,955
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	341,279		488,522	706,302	1,408,132
General and administrative expenses	54,294		74,519	114,292	187,016
Research and Engineering	8,180		10,480	16,342	22,183
Depreciation and amortization	218,882		218,165	434,669	498,572
Interest expense	(5,822)		(5,243)	(10,756)	(10,906)
Other, net	74,356		663	256,381	(67,007)
Intercompany interest expense	104		2,163	259	4,602
Total costs and other deductions	691,273		789,269	1,517,489	2,042,592
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(220,400)		100,624	(750,965)	193,363
Income tax expense (benefit)	(22,292)		83,584	(55,631)	81,671
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(198,108)		17,040	(695,334)	111,692
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(984)		5,025	(1,910)	4,208
Net income (loss)	(199,092)		22,065	(697,244)	115,900
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,899		44	2,175	133
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (196,193)		$ 22,109	$ (695,069)	$ 116,033