Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 210
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478546/942-210-S99-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of debt instrument payable, including, but not limited to, notes payable and loans payable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2E
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482106/820-10-50-2E

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482106/820-10-50-2

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)(2)(i)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482106/820-10-50-2

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)(2)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482106/820-10-50-2

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482106/820-10-50-2

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 69B
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481568/470-20-55-69B

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 69C
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481568/470-20-55-69C

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1D
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1D

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482907/825-10-50-10

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22)(a)(1))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1B

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482925/835-30-45-1A

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482925/835-30-45-2

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482900/835-30-50-1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1D
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1D

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, after deduction of unamortized premium (discount) and debt issuance cost, of long-term debt classified as current. Excludes lease obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(20))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after deduction of unamortized premium (discount) and debt issuance cost, of long-term debt classified as noncurrent. Excludes lease obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbr_SeniorNotes0.75PercentageDueTwoZeroTwoFourMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbr_SeniorNotes5.75PercentageDueTwoZeroTwoFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbr_SeniorGuaranteedNotes7.25PercentageDueTwoZeroTwoSixMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbr_SeniorGuaranteedNotes7.375PercentageDueMayTwoZeroTwoSevenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbr_SeniorGuaranteedNotes7.50PercentageDueTwoZeroTwoEightMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbr_SeniorNotes1.75PercentageDueTwoZeroTwoNineMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbr_SeniorPriorityGuaranteedNotes9.125Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbr_SeniorGuaranteedNotes8.875PercentDueAugust2031Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Fair Value Measurements - Debt Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024	Jul. 22, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Carrying Value
Gross carrying value of debt	$ 2,539,609		$ 3,175,132
Less: current portion			629,621
Less: deferred financing costs	36,339		33,992
Long-term debt	2,503,270		2,511,519
Fair Value
Debt at fair value	$ 2,460,261		$ 3,028,307
0.75% senior exchangeable notes due January 2024
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate on senior notes (as a percent)			0.75%
Carrying Value
Gross carrying value of debt			$ 155,529
Fair Value
Debt at fair value			$ 154,989
5.75% senior notes due February 2025
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate on senior notes (as a percent)			5.75%
Carrying Value
Gross carrying value of debt			$ 474,092
Fair Value
Debt at fair value			$ 474,120
7.25% senior guaranteed notes due January 2026
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate on senior notes (as a percent)	7.25%		7.25%
Carrying Value
Gross carrying value of debt			$ 555,902
Fair Value
Debt at fair value			$ 535,328
7.375% senior priority guaranteed notes due May 2027
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate on senior notes (as a percent)	7.375%		7.375%
Carrying Value
Gross carrying value of debt	$ 700,000		$ 700,000
Fair Value
Debt at fair value	$ 702,086		$ 687,526
7.50% senior guaranteed notes due January 2028
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate on senior notes (as a percent)	7.50%		7.50%
Carrying Value
Gross carrying value of debt	$ 389,609		$ 389,609
Fair Value
Debt at fair value	$ 366,642		$ 334,090
1.75% senior exchangeable notes due June 2029
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate on senior notes (as a percent)	1.75%		1.75%
Carrying Value
Gross carrying value of debt	$ 250,000		$ 250,000
Fair Value
Debt at fair value	$ 196,743		$ 185,383
9.125% senior priority guaranteed notes due January 2030
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate on senior notes (as a percent)	9.125%		9.125%
Carrying Value
Gross carrying value of debt	$ 650,000		$ 650,000
Fair Value
Debt at fair value	$ 671,268		$ 656,871
8.875% Senior Guaranteed Notes due August 2031
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Interest rate on senior notes (as a percent)	8.875%	8.875%
Carrying Value
Gross carrying value of debt	$ 550,000
Fair Value
Debt at fair value	$ 523,523