v2.4.0.8

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 Court of Ouargla Customs Infringement | Dec. 31, 2009 Court of Ouargla Customs Infringement | Dec. 31, 2013 Court of Ouargla Customs Infringement Maximum | Mar. 31, 2011 Court of Ouargla Foreign Currency Controls | Dec. 31, 2013 Court of Ouargla Foreign Currency Controls | Dec. 31, 2006 Court of Ouargla Foreign Currency Controls | Dec. 31, 2013 Court of Ouargla Foreign Currency Controls Maximum | Mar. 19, 2012 NGH2L | Dec. 31, 2013 NGH2L Maximum
Commitments and Contingencies, Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Judgment against the reporting entity at current exchange rate |  | $ 17.7 |  | $ 34.8 |  |  |  |  |
Payment of contract amount in foreign currency |  |  |  |  |  | 7.5 |  |  |
Payment of contract amount in domestic currency |  |  |  |  |  | 3.2 |  |  |
Approximate multiplier of the amount at issue for fines and penalties |  |  |  |  | 4 |  |  |  |
Amount paid to customs authority | 3.1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Posted security paid | 1.33 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Potential judgment in excess of accrual |  |  | 13.3 |  |  |  | 26.8 |  |
Escrow Deposit |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.0 |
Monetary damages sought based on alleged breach of contract by NGH2L and alleged tortious interference with contractual relations by Parex |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 750.0

X
- Definition Estimated multiplier of fines and penalties for the amount at issue. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | nbr_
Data Type: | xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the payment of contract amount in domestic currency. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nbr_PaymentOfContractAmountInDomesticCurrency
Namespace Prefix: | nbr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the payment of contract amount in foreign currency. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nbr_PaymentOfContractAmountInForeignCurrency
Namespace Prefix: | nbr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the amount paid for posted security to suspend collection efforts and to enter into a formal negotiations process with the customs authority of Algeria. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nbr_PostedSecurityPaid
Namespace Prefix: | nbr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Potential judgment in excess of accrual related to foreign currency exchange control. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nbr_PotentialJudgmentInExcessOfAccrual
Namespace Prefix: | nbr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The designation of funds furnished by a borrower to a lender to assure future payments of the borrower's real estate taxes and insurance obligations with respect to a mortgaged property. Escrow deposits may be made for a variety of other purposes such as earnest money and contingent payments. This element excludes replacement reserves which are an escrow separately provided for within the US GAAP taxonomy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349 + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of cash paid for the settlement of litigation or for other legal issues during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration