Name:	nbr_ContractAssetAmortizationPercentageFirstYearAfterLatestFiscalYear
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The percentage of contract asset balance recognized.

No definition available.

Name:	nbr_ContractAssetAmortizationPercentageRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amortization expense percentage for contract asset to be recognized during the second year following the latest fiscal year.

No definition available.

Name:	nbr_ContractAssetAmortizationPercentageSecondYearAfterLatestFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amortization expense percentage for contract asset to be recognized during the third year or thereafter after the latest fiscal year.

No definition available.

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

n/a

No definition available.

Name:	nbr_ContractAssetBalance
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	nbr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityNetCurrentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	nbr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityNetNoncurrentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount due from customers within one year of the balance sheet date for sales or deliveries in the normal course of business.

No definition available.

Name:	nbr_TradeReceivablesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	nbr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount, after allowance for credit loss, of right to consideration in exchange for good or service transferred to customer when right is conditioned on something other than passage of time, classified as current.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118944033&loc=SL49130531-203044

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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Name:	us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetNetCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetNetCurrentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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Period Type:	instant

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetNetNoncurrentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of obligation to transfer good or service to customer for which consideration has been received or is receivable, classified as current.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Name:	us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of obligation to transfer good or service to customer for which consideration has been received or is receivable, classified as noncurrent.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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