Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information
Operating revenues	$ 538,948	$ 519,729	$ 571,591	$ 597,571	$ 738,872	$ 847,553	$ 863,305	$ 1,414,707	$ 2,227,839	$ 3,864,437	$ 6,804,197
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(330,196)	(97,839)	(186,565)	(396,644)	(161,090)	(250,879)	(41,890)	124,362	(1,011,244)	(329,497)	(669,265)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(4,266)	(12,187)	(984)	(926)	(1,730)	(45,275)	5,025	(817)	(18,363)	(42,797)	21
Net income (loss)	(334,462)	(110,026)	(187,549)	(397,570)	(162,820)	(296,154)	(36,865)	123,545	(1,029,607)	(372,294)	(669,244)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,125)	(1,185)	2,899	(724)	(834)	320	44	89	(135)	(381)	(1,415)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (335,587)	$ (111,211)	$ (184,650)	$ (398,294)	$ (163,654)	$ (295,834)	$ (36,821)	$ 123,634	$ (1,029,742)	$ (372,675)	$ (670,659)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.17)	$ (0.35)	$ (0.65)	$ (1.41)	$ (0.57)	$ (0.86)	$ (0.14)	$ 0.43	$ (3.58)	$ (1.14)	$ (2.28)
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	(0.04)			(0.01)	(0.16)	0.01		(0.06)	(0.15)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(1.18)	(0.39)	(0.65)	(1.41)	(0.58)	(1.02)	(0.13)	0.43	(3.64)	(1.29)	(2.28)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(1.17)	(0.35)	(0.65)	(1.41)	(0.57)	(0.86)	(0.14)	0.43	(3.58)	(1.14)	(2.28)
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	(0.04)			(0.01)	(0.16)	0.01	(0.01)	(0.06)	(0.15)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.18)	$ (0.39)	$ (0.65)	$ (1.41)	$ (0.58)	$ (1.02)	$ (0.13)	$ 0.42	$ (3.64)	$ (1.29)	$ (2.28)