v2.4.0.8
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Sep. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues and other income:                        
Operating revenues                   $ 6,152,015 $ 6,843,051 $ 6,013,480
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates (1,600) (2,600) 1,400 2,900 1,200 (99,500) (156,063) (34,321) (190,384) 39 (288,718) 85,448
Investment income (loss)                   96,577 63,137 19,939
Total revenues and other income             1,547,209 1,830,619 3,377,828 6,248,631 6,617,470 6,118,867
Costs and other deductions:                        
Direct costs             1,089,175 1,155,717 2,244,892 3,981,828 4,367,106 3,738,506
General and administrative expenses                   525,330 527,953 487,808
Depreciation and amortization                   1,086,677 1,039,923 918,122
Interest expense                   223,418 251,904 256,632
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net                   37,977 (136,636) 4,474
Impairments and other charges                   287,241 290,260 198,072
Total costs and other deductions             1,703,353 1,595,552 3,298,905 6,142,471 6,340,510 5,603,614
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes             (156,144) 235,067 78,923 106,160 276,960 515,253
Income tax expense (benefit)             (35,268) 75,771 40,503 (55,181) 40,986 165,083
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend                   3,000 3,000 3,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax 128,516 (90,510) 28,128 92,207 131,656 64,489 (121,626) 158,546 36,920 158,341 232,974 347,170
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 23,113 (14,430) (26,873) 7,011 (103,414) 12,155 26,710 (2,977)   (11,179) (67,526) (97,601)
Net income (loss)             (94,916) 155,569 60,653 147,162 165,448 249,569
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (1,026) (441) (5,616) (97) (1,074) (988) 1,174 267   (7,180) (621) (1,045)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors 150,603 (105,381) (4,361) 99,121 27,077 75,656 (93,742) 155,836 62,094 139,982 164,827 248,524
Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)
                        
Revenues and other income:                        
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates                   158,445 173,199 261,090
Investment income (loss)                   1   4
Total revenues and other income                   158,446 173,199 261,094
Costs and other deductions:                        
General and administrative expenses                   11,111 7,141 11,970
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net                   7,353 1,231 600
Total costs and other deductions                   18,464 8,372 12,570
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes                   139,982 164,827 248,524
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax                   139,982 164,827 248,524
Net income (loss)                   139,982 164,827 248,524
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest                   (7,180) (621) (1,045)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors                   139,982 164,827 248,524
Nabors Delaware (Issuer/Guarantor)
                        
Revenues and other income:                        
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates                   191,821 (99,048) 233,028
Investment income (loss)                   75 43 68
Intercompany interest income                   92 69,145 69,437
Total revenues and other income                   191,988 (29,860) 302,533
Costs and other deductions:                        
General and administrative expenses                   796 458 348
Depreciation and amortization                   3,610 3,610 3,532
Interest expense                   234,512 268,904 278,657
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net                   211,976 (2,451) (1,904)
Total costs and other deductions                   450,894 270,521 280,633
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes                   (258,906) (300,381) 21,900
Income tax expense (benefit)                   (166,769) (74,493) (78,118)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax                   (92,137) (225,888) 100,018
Net income (loss)                   (92,137) (225,888) 100,018
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors                   (92,137) (225,888) 100,018
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)
                        
Revenues and other income:                        
Operating revenues                   6,152,015 6,843,051 6,013,480
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates                   39 (288,718) 85,448
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates                   (92,137) (206,413) 126,256
Investment income (loss)                   101,047 63,094 19,867
Total revenues and other income                   6,160,964 6,411,014 6,245,051
Costs and other deductions:                        
Direct costs                   3,981,828 4,367,106 3,738,506
General and administrative expenses                   514,000 521,962 476,090
Depreciation and amortization                   1,083,067 1,036,313 914,590
Interest expense                   (11,094) (17,000) (22,025)
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net                   (181,929) (137,024) 5,178
Impairments and other charges                   287,241 290,260 198,072
Intercompany interest expense                   92 69,145 69,437
Total costs and other deductions                   5,673,205 6,130,762 5,379,848
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes                   487,759 280,252 865,203
Income tax expense (benefit)                   111,588 115,479 243,201
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend                   3,000 3,000 3,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax                   373,171 161,773 619,002
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax                   (11,179) (67,526) (97,601)
Net income (loss)                   361,992 94,247 521,401
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest                   (7,180) (621) (1,045)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors                   354,812 93,626 520,356
Consolidating Adjustments
                        
Revenues and other income:                        
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates                   (258,129) 132,262 (620,374)
Investment income (loss)                   (4,546)    
Intercompany interest income                   (92) (69,145) (69,437)
Total revenues and other income                   (262,767) 63,117 (689,811)
Costs and other deductions:                        
General and administrative expenses                   (577) (1,608) (600)
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net                   577 1,608 600
Intercompany interest expense                   (92) (69,145) (69,437)
Total costs and other deductions                   (92) (69,145) (69,437)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes                   (262,675) 132,262 (620,374)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax                   (262,675) 132,262 (620,374)
Net income (loss)                   (262,675) 132,262 (620,374)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest                   7,180 621 1,045
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors                   $ (262,675) $ 132,262 $ (620,374)