Subsidiary Preferred Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsidiary preferred stock
Redemption of subsidiary preferred stock		$ 1,688
Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Preferred Stock		70,875
Series A Preferred Stock | Nabors Completion and Production Services
Subsidiary preferred stock
Redemption value of preferred stock		$ 70,900
Subsidiary preferred stock, shares outstanding		75,000
Redemption of subsidiary preferred stock		$ 1,688
Regular dividends paid	$ 750,000
Accrued dividends paid		108,750
Special dividends paid		$ 375,000