Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill (Details)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill [Abstract]
Long-term growth rate used to calculate terminal values for each reporting unit (as a percent)	3.00%

Represents the growth rate used to calculate terminal values for each reporting unit using a Gordon Growth methodology.

No definition available.

Name:	nbr_PercentageOfGrowthRateUsedToCalculateTerminalValueOfEachReportingUnit
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration