Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information
Operating revenues	$ 708,277	$ 662,103	$ 631,355	$ 562,550	$ 538,948	$ 519,729	$ 571,591	$ 597,571	$ 2,564,285	$ 2,227,839	$ 3,864,437
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(114,725)	(119,285)	(115,476)	(147,628)	(330,196)	(97,839)	(186,565)	(396,644)	(497,114)	(1,011,244)	(329,497)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(442)	(27,134)	(15,504)	(439)	(4,266)	(12,187)	(984)	(926)	(43,519)	(18,363)	(42,797)
Net income (loss)	(115,167)	(146,419)	(130,980)	(148,067)	(334,462)	(110,026)	(187,549)	(397,570)	(540,633)	(1,029,607)	(372,294)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,177)	(2,113)	(1,971)	(917)	(1,125)	(1,185)	2,899	(724)	(6,178)	(135)	(381)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (116,344)	$ (148,532)	$ (132,951)	$ (148,984)	$ (335,587)	$ (111,211)	$ (184,650)	$ (398,294)	$ (546,811)	$ (1,029,742)	$ (372,675)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.40)	$ (0.42)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.52)	$ (1.17)	$ (0.35)	$ (0.65)	$ (1.41)	$ (1.75)	$ (3.58)	$ (1.14)
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		(0.10)	(0.05)		(0.01)	(0.04)			(0.15)	(0.06)	(0.15)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	(0.40)	(0.52)	(0.46)	(0.52)	(1.18)	(0.39)	(0.65)	(1.41)	(1.90)	(3.64)	(1.29)
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.40)	(0.42)	(0.41)	(0.52)	(1.17)	(0.35)	(0.65)	(1.41)	(1.75)	(3.58)	(1.14)
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		(0.10)	(0.05)		(0.01)	(0.04)			(0.15)	(0.06)	(0.15)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.40)	$ (0.52)	$ (0.46)	$ (0.52)	$ (1.18)	$ (0.39)	$ (0.65)	$ (1.41)	$ (1.90)	$ (3.64)	$ (1.29)