Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions		3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 24, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	May 24, 2015
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates
Cash consideration in merger										$ 650,050
Other-than-temporary impairment		$ 3,495							$ 3,495
Summarized income statement (loss) information for investment in unconsolidated affiliates
Gross revenues			$ 269,615			$ 225,168		$ 912,381
Gross margin			7,849			(4,603)		146,772
Net income (loss)			(428,412)			$ (291,116)		(95,784)
Nabors' share of equity method earnings (losses)		2	(54,788)		$ (35,100)			$ (35,900)	$ (221,918)	(29,714)
Joint Venture in Saudi Arabia
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates
Percentage of outstanding and issued common shares held											49.00%
C&J Energy Services, Ltd.
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates
Cash consideration in merger	$ 693,500
Cash proceeds from merger after working capital requirements	$ 650,100
Common shares held in merged entity	62.5
Percentage of outstanding and issued common shares held	53.00%
Lag in recording share in net income									3 months
Estimated gross gain in merger							$ 102,200
Transaction costs related to the merger	$ 49,600
Summarized income statement (loss) information for investment in unconsolidated affiliates
Gross revenues				$ 409,011
Gross margin				37,417
Net income (loss)				(321,742)
Nabors' share of equity method earnings (losses)				$ (167,145)	$ (35,100)				$ (221,933)	$ (35,900)
C&J Energy Services, Ltd. | Other expense (income)
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates
Other-than-temporary impairment			153,400
Estimated fair value			93,800
Charge against receivables			$ 23,800
Equity method investment charge to write off remaining value of investment		39,000
Transaction costs related to the merger		$ 3,900