Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$ 562,550	$ 597,571
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	2	(167,151)
Investment income (loss)	721	343
Total revenues and other income	563,273	430,763
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	387,644	365,023
General and administrative expenses	63,409	62,334
Research and engineering	11,757	8,162
Depreciation and amortization	203,672	215,818
Interest expense	56,518	45,730
Other, net	13,510	182,404
Total costs and other deductions	736,510	879,471
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(173,237)	(448,708)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(25,609)	(52,064)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(147,628)	(396,644)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(439)	(926)
Net income (loss)	(148,067)	(397,570)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(917)	(724)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(148,984)	(398,294)
Consolidating Adjustments
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	292,827	639,827
Investment income (loss)	(2,980)	(2,981)
Intercompany interest income		(160)
Total revenues and other income	289,847	636,686
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	(179)	(157)
Other, net	179	157
Intercompany interest expense		(160)
Total costs and other deductions		(160)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	289,847	636,846
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	289,847	636,846
Net income (loss)	289,847	636,846
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	289,847	636,846
Parent Company | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(145,871)	(395,770)
Investment income (loss)	17
Total revenues and other income	(145,854)	(395,770)
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	3,298	2,362
Other, net	(159)	157
Intercompany interest expense	(9)	5
Total costs and other deductions	3,130	2,524
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(148,984)	(398,294)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(148,984)	(398,294)
Net income (loss)	(148,984)	(398,294)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(148,984)	(398,294)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(50,717)	(106,087)
Investment income (loss)	63	123
Intercompany interest income		160
Total revenues and other income	(50,654)	(105,804)
Costs and other deductions:
General and administrative expenses	137	131
Depreciation and amortization	31	31
Interest expense	60,755	50,664
Other, net	11,397	65
Total costs and other deductions	72,320	50,891
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(122,974)	(156,695)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(26,735)	(18,725)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(96,239)	(137,970)
Net income (loss)	(96,239)	(137,970)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(96,239)	(137,970)
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) | Reportable Legal Entities
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	562,550	597,571
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	2	(167,151)
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(96,239)	(137,970)
Investment income (loss)	3,621	3,201
Total revenues and other income	469,934	295,651
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	387,644	365,023
General and administrative expenses	60,153	59,998
Research and engineering	11,757	8,162
Depreciation and amortization	203,641	215,787
Interest expense	(4,237)	(4,934)
Other, net	2,093	182,025
Intercompany interest expense	9	155
Total costs and other deductions	661,060	826,216
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(191,126)	(530,565)
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,126	(33,339)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(192,252)	(497,226)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(439)	(926)
Net income (loss)	(192,691)	(498,152)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(917)	(724)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (193,608)	$ (498,876)