Nabors Industries (NBR) 10-Q 6 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001163739	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	299,743,725
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$410,958	$389,915
Short-term investments	75,386	117,218
Assets held for sale	233,163	243,264
Accounts receivable, net	1,448,511	1,399,543
Inventory	216,444	209,793
Deferred income taxes	87,354	121,316
Other current assets	338,822	272,781
Total current assets	2,810,638	2,753,830
Long-term investments and other receivables	2,724	3,236
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,832,966	8,597,813
Goodwill	512,897	512,964
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	60,509	64,260
Other long-term assets	216,265	227,708
Total assets	12,435,999	12,159,811
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of debt	207	10,185
Trade accounts payable	617,827	545,512
Accrued liabilities	674,841	697,093
Income taxes payable	26,711	58,634
Total current liabilities	1,319,586	1,311,424
Long-term debt	3,956,290	3,904,117
Other long-term liabilities	596,530	377,744
Deferred income taxes	481,671	516,161
Total liabilities	6,354,077	6,109,446
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)	'	'
Subsidiary preferred stock	'	69,188
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common shares, par value $0.001 per share: Authorized common shares 800,000; issued 328,134 and 323,711, respectively	328	324
Capital in excess of par value	2,433,626	2,392,585
Accumulated other comprehensive income (Revised)	188,552	216,140
Retained earnings (Revised)	4,393,547	4,304,664
Less: treasury shares, at cost, 28,414 common shares	-944,627	-944,627
Total shareholders' equity	6,071,426	5,969,086
Noncontrolling interest	10,496	12,091
Total equity	6,081,922	5,981,177
Total liabilities and equity	$12,435,999	$12,159,811

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	'	'
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common shares, shares authorized	800,000	800,000
Common shares, shares issued	328,134	323,711
Treasury shares, at cost	28,414	28,414

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Revenues and other income:	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	$1,616,981	$1,457,966	$3,206,599	$2,993,444
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates	-576	1,360	-3,021	4,255
Investment income (loss)	7,066	14,821	8,046	94,242
Total revenues and other income	1,623,471	1,474,147	3,211,624	3,091,941
Costs and other deductions:	'	'	'	'
Direct costs	1,066,495	972,310	2,128,234	1,967,302
General and administrative expenses	133,630	131,202	267,896	262,080
Depreciation and amortization	282,820	266,210	564,947	535,575
Interest expense	46,303	60,273	91,113	120,284
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	16,504	9,242	17,980	68,979
Total costs and other deductions	1,545,752	1,439,237	3,070,170	2,954,220
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	77,719	34,910	141,454	137,721
Income tax expense (benefit):	'	'	'	'
Current	7,577	11,381	21,235	30,210
Deferred	3,179	-5,349	3,529	-14,324
Total income tax expense (benefit)	10,756	6,032	24,764	15,886
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	1,234	750	1,984	1,500
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	65,729	28,128	114,706	120,335
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	-1,032	-26,873	483	-19,862
Net income (loss)	64,697	1,255	115,189	100,473
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	-253	-5,616	-826	-5,713
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$64,444	($4,361)	$114,363	$94,760
Earnings (losses) per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.08	$0.37	$0.41
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	'	($0.09)	'	($0.09)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.21	($0.01)	$0.37	$0.32
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.08	$0.37	$0.41
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	'	($0.09)	'	($0.09)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.21	($0.01)	$0.37	$0.32
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	297,984	294,747	297,097	293,217
Diluted (in shares)	300,981	297,119	300,016	295,644

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$64,444	($4,361)	$114,363	$94,760
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:	'	'	'	'
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	32,255	-29,304	-4,339	-52,569
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	-325	-5,137	-19,533	5,002
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses on marketable securities	-4,903	-12,183	-4,903	-88,157
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	-5,228	-17,320	-24,436	-83,155
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	123	281	246	562
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153	153	306	306
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	27,303	-46,190	-28,223	-134,856
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	-784	-2,063	-636	-2,277
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	28,087	-44,127	-27,587	-132,579
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	92,531	-48,488	86,776	-37,819
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	-253	-5,616	-826	-5,713
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	-379	-613	102	801
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	-632	-6,229	-724	-4,912
Comprehensive income (loss)	$93,163	($42,259)	$87,500	($32,907)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$115,189	$100,473
Adjustments to net income (loss):	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	564,947	543,637
Depletion and other oil and gas expense	1,511	14,182
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	3,172	-20,720
Impairment and other charges	'	45,000
Losses (gains) on long-lived assets, net	15,041	-10,017
Losses (gains) on investments, net	-5,062	-91,140
Share-based compensation	19,301	38,824
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	1,044	7,311
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends	3,021	-3,891
Other	3,355	9,709
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-48,089	22,556
Inventory	-6,623	13,893
Other current assets	-31,780	-3,402
Other long-term assets	10,868	25,820
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities	57,418	38,216
Income taxes payable	-63,070	-28,834
Other long-term liabilities	205,794	-36,209
Net cash provided by operating activities	846,037	665,408
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of investments	-266	'
Sales and maturities of investments	23,238	163,161
Proceeds from sales of unconsolidated affiliate	'	10,000
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	-10,200	-37,516
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	-1,612	-3,927
Capital expenditures	-862,680	-500,368
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	69,343	29,731
Other	-761	-3,142
Net cash used for investing activities	-782,938	-342,061
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	-3,383	-8,686
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	29,047	3,200
Dividends to shareholders	-23,792	-23,552
Proceeds from debt	'	11,569
Debt issuance costs	'	-87
Reduction in long-term debt	-75,000	-17,853
Reduction in short-term debt	-10,000	'
Proceeds from (payment for) commercial paper, net	111,228	295,000
Purchase of preferred stock	-70,875	'
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	15,000	'
Reduction in revolving credit facilities	'	-590,000
Other	-7,303	-3,023
Net cash used for financing activities	-35,078	-333,432
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-6,978	-6,709
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	21,043	-16,794
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	389,915	524,922
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$410,958	$508,128

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Shares	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings	Treasury Shares	Non-controlling Interest
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012 (As previously reported)	$5,957,117	$319	$2,337,244	$431,595	$4,120,398	($944,627)	$12,188
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	5,957,117	319	2,337,244	340,143	4,211,850	-944,627	12,188
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012 (As previously reported)	'	318,813	'	'	'	'	'
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	318,813	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revision	'	'	'	-91,452	91,452	'	'
Net income (loss)	100,473	'	'	'	94,760	'	5,713
Dividends to shareholders	-23,552	'	'	'	-23,552	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-133,380	'	'	-132,579	'	'	-801
Issuance of common shares for stock options exercised	3,200	'	3,200	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common shares for stock options exercised (in shares)	300	343	'	'	'	'	'
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest	-2,899	'	'	'	'	'	-2,899
Share-based compensation	38,828	4	38,824	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation (in shares)	'	4,265	'	'	'	'	'
Other	-6,502	'	-3,023	'	'	'	-3,479
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	5,933,285	323	2,376,245	207,564	4,283,058	-944,627	10,722
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2013	'	323,421	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013 (As previously reported)	5,981,177	324	2,392,585	307,592	4,213,212	-944,627	12,091
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	5,981,177	324	2,392,585	216,140	4,304,664	-944,627	12,091
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013 (As previously reported)	'	323,711	'	'	'	'	'
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	323,711	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revision	'	'	'	-91,452	91,452	'	'
Net income (loss)	115,189	'	'	'	114,363	'	826
Dividends to shareholders	-23,792	'	'	'	-23,792	'	'
Redemption of subsidiary preferred stock	-1,688	'	'	'	-1,688	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-27,689	'	'	-27,587	'	'	-102
Issuance of common shares for stock options exercised	29,048	3	29,045	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common shares for stock options exercised (in shares)	2,900	2,911	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	19,301	'	19,301	'	'	'	'
Other	-9,624	1	-7,305	-1	'	'	-2,319
Other (in shares)	'	1,512	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at Jun. 30, 2014	$6,081,922	$328	$2,433,626	$188,552	$4,393,547	($944,627)	$10,496
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2014	'	328,134	'	'	'	'	'

Nature_of_Operations

Nature of Operations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Nature of Operations	'
Nature of Operations	'
	Note 1 Nature of Operations
	Nabors has grown from a land drilling business centered in the United States and Canada to a global business aimed at optimizing the entire well life cycle, with operations on land and offshore in most of the major oil and gas markets in the world. The majority of our business is conducted through two business lines:
	Drilling & Rig Services
	This business line is comprised of our global drilling rig operations and drilling-related services, consisting of equipment manufacturing, instrumentation optimization software and directional drilling services.
	Completion & Production Services
	This business line is comprised of our operations involved in the completion, life-of-well maintenance and eventual plugging and abandonment of a well.  These services include stimulation, coiled-tubing, cementing, wireline, workover, well-servicing and fluids management.
	As a global provider of services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells, Nabors’ fleet of rigs and equipment includes:
	·         496 actively marketed land drilling rigs for oil and gas land drilling operations in the United States, Canada and over 26  other countries throughout the world.
	·         446 actively marketed rigs for land well-servicing and workover services in the United States and approximately 98 rigs for land well-servicing and workover services in Canada.
	·         36 platform, 7 jackup and 1 barge rig actively marketed in the United States and multiple international markets.
	·         Approximately 800,000 hydraulic horsepower for hydraulic fracturing, cementing, nitrogen and acid pressure pumping services in key basins throughout the United States.
	In addition:
	·         We offer a wide range of ancillary well-site services, including engineering, transportation and disposal, construction, maintenance, well logging, directional drilling, rig instrumentation, data collection and other support services in select U.S. and international markets.
	·         We manufacture and lease or sell top drives for a broad range of drilling applications, directional drilling systems, rig instrumentation and data collection equipment, pipeline handling equipment and rig reporting software.
	·         We have a 51% ownership interest in a joint venture in Saudi Arabia, which owns and actively markets 5 rigs in addition to the rigs we lease to the joint venture.
	In June 2014, we signed a definitive agreement to merge our completion and production services businesses with C&J Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE: CJES), an independent oilfield services and manufacturing company.  Following the completion of this transaction, we will own approximately 53 percent of the combined company.
	Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this report to “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” or “Nabors” mean Nabors Industries Ltd., together with our subsidiaries where the context requires, including Nabors Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Nabors Delaware”), our wholly owned subsidiary.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Interim Financial Information
	The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nabors are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted.  Therefore, these financial statements should be read along with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Annual Report”).  In management’s opinion, the consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of June 30, 2014, as well as the results of our operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and our cash flows and changes in equity for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, in accordance with GAAP.  Interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2014 may not be indicative of results that will be realized for the full year ending December 31, 2014.
	Our independent registered public accounting firm has reviewed and issued a report on these consolidated interim financial statements in accordance with standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.  Pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this report should not be considered a part of any registration statement prepared or certified within the meanings of Sections 7 and 11 of such Act.
	Prior Period Revision
	During the first quarter of 2014, we determined that we had incorrectly applied certain aspects of ASC 830 - Foreign Currency Matters with respect to the recording of foreign currency gains or losses on certain intercompany transactions.  GAAP requires the recognition of foreign currency gains or losses on U.S. dollar denominated intercompany balances of our subsidiaries that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar.  The impact was primarily related to the periods between 2002 and 2009, which is the period over which a series of intercompany loans were outstanding between our Canadian subsidiary, whose functional currency is the Canadian dollar, and other subsidiaries whose functional currencies are the U.S. dollar.
	The net effect understated net income for periods before 2009 by approximately $91.5 million, due to foreign currency gains that should have been recorded through net income, rather than through Cumulative Translation Adjustment (a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income).  The correction of this error resulted in a revision to increase the beginning Retained Earnings at January 1, 2010 by approximately $91.5 million with the offset being a decrease to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, both of which are components of Shareholders’ Equity.  There was no other material impact to our assets, liabilities, cash flows or profit and loss for any periods presented. We do not consider this revision material to any period.
	Principles of Consolidation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nabors, as well as all majority owned and non-majority owned subsidiaries required to be consolidated under GAAP.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
	Investments in operating entities where we have the ability to exert significant influence, but where we do not control operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method.  Our share of the net income (loss) of these entities is recorded as earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates in our consolidated statements of income (loss).  The investments in these entities are included in investment in unconsolidated affiliates in our consolidated balance sheets.
	Inventory
	Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out or weighted-average cost methods and includes the cost of materials, labor and manufacturing overhead.  Inventory included the following:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials	$	139,090	$	128,606
	Work-in-progress	38,537		26,762
	Finished goods	38,817		54,425
		$	216,444	$	209,793
	Goodwill
	We initially assess goodwill for impairment based on qualitative factors to determine whether to perform the two-step annual goodwill impairment test, a Level 3 fair value measurement. After qualitative assessment, step one of the impairment test compares the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, a second step is required to measure the goodwill impairment loss. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess
	The fair values calculated in these impairment tests were determined using discounted cash flow models involving assumptions based on our utilization of rigs or other oil and gas service equipment, revenues and earnings from affiliates, as well as direct costs, general and administrative costs, depreciation, applicable income taxes, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Our discounted cash flow projections for each reporting unit were based on financial forecasts. The future cash flows were discounted to present value using discount rates determined to be appropriate for each reporting unit. Terminal values for each reporting unit were calculated using a Gordon Growth methodology with a long-term growth rate of 3%.
	Our estimated fair values of our reporting units incorporate judgment and the use of estimates by management. Potential factors requiring assessment include a further or sustained decline in our stock price, declines in oil and natural gas prices, a variance in results of operations from forecasts, and additional transactions in the oil and gas industry. Another factor in determining whether impairment has occurred is the relationship between our market capitalization and our book value. As part of our annual review, we compared the sum of our reporting units’ estimated fair value, which included the estimated fair value of non-operating assets and liabilities, less debt, to our market capitalization and assessed the reasonableness of our estimated fair value. Any of the above-mentioned factors may cause us to re-evaluate goodwill during any quarter throughout the year.
	Based on our review, there was no goodwill impairment.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) relating to the reporting of discontinued operations and the disclosures related to disposals of components of an entity. The core principles address the question around whether the disposal represents a strategic shift, if the operations and cash flows can be clearly distinguished and continuing involvement will no longer preclude a disposal from being presented as discontinued operations. These changes are effective for interim and annual periods that begin after December 15, 2014. Early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this will have on our consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued an ASU relating to the revenue recognition from contracts with customers that creates a common revenue standard for GAAP and IFRS. The core principle will require recognition of revenue to represent the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration, including costs incurred, to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. These changes are effective for interim and annual periods that begin after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this will have on our consolidated financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued an ASU relating to the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period.  The core principle will require the reporting entity to apply existing guidance in Topic 718-Compensation-Stock Compensation relating to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards.  As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered.  These changes are effective for interim and annual periods that begin after December 15, 2015. Early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_and_

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments	'
	Note 3 Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments
	Certain information related to our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments follows:
		June 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Fair Value		Gross		Gross			Fair Value		Gross		Gross
				Unrealized		Unrealized					Unrealized		Unrealized
				Holding		Holding					Holding		Holding
				Gains		Losses					Gains		Losses
		(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	410,958	$	—	$	—		$	389,915	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments:
	Available-for-sale equity securities	75,366		48,041		—			96,942		68,395		—
	Available-for-sale debt securities:
	Corporate debt securities	—		—		—			19,388		4,122		—
	Mortgage-backed debt securities	—		—		—			210		11		—
	Mortgage-CMO debt securities	20		—		(1		)	20		—		(2		)
	Asset-backed debt securities	—		—		—			658		2		(54		)
	Total available-for-sale debt securities	20		—		(1		)	20,276		4,135		(56		)
	Total available-for-sale securities	75,386		48,041		(1		)	117,218		72,530		(56		)
	Total short-term investments	75,386		48,041		(1		)	117,218		72,530		(56		)
	Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	$	486,344	$	48,041	$	(1	)	$	507,133	$	72,530	$	(56	)
	Certain information related to the gross unrealized losses of our short-term investments follows:
		As of June 30, 2014
		Less Than 12 Months				More Than 12 Months
		Fair Value		Gross		Fair Value			Gross
				Unrealized					Unrealized
				Losses					Losses
		(In thousands)
	Available-for-sale debt securities:
	Mortgage-CMO debt securities	$	—	$	—	$	20		$	1
	Total available-for-sale debt securities	—		—		20			1
	Total	$	—	$	—	$	20		$	1
	The estimated fair values of our mortgage-CMO debt securities at June 30, 2014, classified by time to contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to repay obligations without prepayment penalties and we may elect to sell the securities prior to the contractual maturity date.
		Estimated
		Fair Value
		June 30, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Debt securities:
	Due in one year or less	$	—
	Due after one year through five years	—
	Due in more than five years	20
	Total debt securities	$	20
	Certain information regarding our debt and equity securities is presented below:
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014			2013
		(In thousands)				(In thousands)
	Available-for-sale
	Proceeds from sales and maturities	$	22,178	$	20,352	$	22,313		$	106,953
	Realized gains (losses), net	$	4,903	$	12,183	$	4,903		$	88,157

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Note 4 Fair Value Measurements
	The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our financial assets that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2014.  Our debt securities could transfer into or out of a Level 1 or 2 measures depending on the availability of independent and current pricing at the end of each quarter.  During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, there were no transfers of our financial assets between Level 1 and Level 2 measures.  Our financial assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
		Fair Value as of June 30, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Short-term investments:
	Available-for-sale equity securities (energy industry)	$	74,504	$	862	$	—	$	75,366
	Available-for-sale debt securities:
	Mortgage-CMO debt securities	—		20		—		20
	Total short-term investments	$	74,504	$	882	$	—	$	75,386
	Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value measurements were applied with respect to our nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis, which would consist of measurements primarily to assets held-for-sale, goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, asset retirement obligations and our pipeline contractual commitment.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The fair value of our financial instruments has been estimated in accordance with GAAP.  The fair value of our long-term debt, revolving credit facility and commercial paper is estimated based on quoted market prices or prices quoted from third-party financial institutions. The carrying and fair values of these liabilities were as follows:
		June 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Value		Value		Value		Value
		(In thousands)
	2.35% senior notes due September 2016	$	349,853	$	358,596	$	349,820	$	354,694
	6.15% senior notes due February 2018	970,541		1,113,255		969,928		1,097,480
	9.25% senior notes due January 2019	339,607		434,405		339,607		428,733
	5.00% senior notes due September 2020	698,100		785,883		697,947		731,955
	4.625% senior notes due September 2021	698,268		756,623		698,148		709,793
	5.10% senior notes due September 2023	348,829		385,284		348,765		349,731
	Subsidiary preferred stock (1)	—		—		69,188		69,000
	Revolving credit facility	110,000		110,000		170,000		170,000
	Commercial paper	441,072		441,072		329,844		329,844
	Other	227		227		10,243		10,243
	Total	$	3,956,497	$	4,385,345	$	3,983,490	$	4,251,473
	(1)     We redeemed all outstanding subsidiary preferred stock during the current quarter.  See Note 8 — Subsidiary Preferred Stock for additional discussion.
	The fair values of our cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade payables approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-Based Compensation	'
Share-Based Compensation	'
	Note 5 Share-Based Compensation
	We have several share-based employee and director compensation plans, which are more fully described in Note 9 — Share-Based Compensation in our 2013 Annual Report. Total share-based compensation expense, which includes stock options and restricted stock, totaled $8.6 million and $6.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $19.3 million and $38.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Share-based compensation expense has been allocated to our various operating segments.  See Note 13 — Segment Information.
	Stock Options
	The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $46.9 million and $2.4 million, respectively. The total fair value of stock options that vested during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1.5 million and $3.9 million, respectively.
	Restricted Stock
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we awarded 1,143,002 and 4,334,581 shares of restricted stock, respectively, vesting over periods of up to four years, to our employees and directors.  These awards had an aggregate value at their date of grant of $26.1 million and $71.1 million, respectively.  The fair value of restricted stock that vested during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $25.3 million and $36.3 million, respectively.
	Restricted Stock Based on Performance
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, we awarded 362,311 shares of restricted stock, vesting over a period of three years to some of our executives.  The performance awards granted were based upon achievement of specific financial or operational objectives. The number of shares granted was determined by the number of performance goals achieved during the period beginning January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.
	Our performance awards based on performance conditions are liability-classified awards until shares are granted, of which our accrued liabilities included $1.0 million at June 30, 2014 for the performance period beginning January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. The fair value of these awards are estimated at each reporting period, based on internal metrics and marked to market.
	Restricted Stock Based on Market Conditions
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we awarded 395,550 and 353,933 shares of restricted stock, respectively, which will vest based on our performance compared to our peer group over a three-year period. These awards had an aggregate value at their date of grant of $4.5 million and $3.7 million, respectively, after consideration of all assumptions. The grant date fair value of these awards was based on a Monte Carlo model, using the following assumptions during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		2014			2013
	Risk free interest rate	0.8		%	0.41		%
	Expected volatility	40		%	46		%
	Closing stock price	$	18.19		$	16.53
	Expected term (in years)	2.97			2.82

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt	'
Debt	'
	Note 6 Debt
	Debt consisted of the following:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	2.35% senior notes due September 2016	$	349,853	$	349,820
	6.15% senior notes due February 2018	970,541		969,928
	9.25% senior notes due January 2019	339,607		339,607
	5.00% senior notes due September 2020	698,100		697,947
	4.625% senior notes due September 2021	698,268		698,148
	5.10% senior notes due September 2023	348,829		348,765
	Revolving credit facility	110,000		170,000
	Commercial paper	441,072		329,844
	Other	227		10,243
		$	3,956,497	$	3,914,302
	Less: current portion	207		10,185
		$	3,956,290	$	3,904,117
	Commercial Paper Program
	As of June 30, 2014, we had approximately $441.1 million of commercial paper outstanding.  The weighted average interest rate on borrowings at June 30, 2014 was 0.33%.  Our commercial paper borrowings are classified as long-term debt because the borrowings are fully supported by availability under our revolving credit facility, which matures as currently structured in November 2017, more than one year from the balance sheet date.
	Revolving Credit Facility
	As of June 30, 2014, we had approximately $110.0 million of borrowings outstanding. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings at June 30, 2014 was 1.45%.  The revolving credit facility contains various covenants and restrictive provisions that limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments or loans and create liens and require us to maintain a net funded indebtedness to total capitalization ratio, as defined in each agreement. We were in compliance with all covenants under the agreement at June 30, 2014. If we fail to perform our obligations under the covenants, the revolving credit commitment could be terminated, and any outstanding borrowings under the facility could be declared immediately due and payable.

Common_Shares

Common Shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Common Shares	'
Common Shares	'
	Note 7 Common Shares
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, our employees exercised vested options to acquire 2.9 million and 0.3 million of our common shares, respectively, resulting in proceeds of $29.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we withheld 0.3 million and 0.2 million, respectively, of our common shares with a fair value of $7.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively, to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of all stock awards.
	On April 25, 2014, a cash dividend of $0.04 per share was declared for shareholders of record on June 9, 2014. The dividend was paid on June 30, 2014 in the amount of $11.9 million and was charged to retained earnings in our consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

Subsidiary_Preferred_Stock

Subsidiary Preferred Stock	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Subsidiary Preferred Stock	'
Subsidiary Preferred Stock	'
	Note 8 Subsidiary Preferred Stock
	During the three months ended June 30, 2014, we paid $70.9 million to redeem the 75,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding of our subsidiary and paid all dividends due on such shares.  The result of the redemption was a loss of $1.688 million, representing the difference between the redemption amount and the carrying value of the subsidiary preferred stock. The loss results in a charge to retained earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and a reduction to net income used to determine income available for common shareholders in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share in the period of transaction.  We also paid regular and accrued dividends of $750,000 and $108,750, respectively, and special dividends of $375,000.  These dividends were treated as regular dividends, and as such were reflected in net income in the consolidated statement of income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 9 Commitments and Contingencies
	Contingencies
	Income Tax
	We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous other jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes. In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We are regularly audited by tax authorities. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of tax audits and any related litigation could be materially different than what is reflected in income tax provisions and accruals. An audit or litigation could materially affect our financial position, income tax provision, net income, or cash flows in the period or periods challenged.
	It is possible that future changes to tax laws (including tax treaties) could impact our ability to realize the tax savings recorded to date as well as future tax savings, resulting from our 2002 corporate reorganization.  See Note 14 — Income Taxes to our 2013 Annual Report for additional discussion.
	In 2006, Nabors Drilling International Limited, one of our wholly owned Bermuda subsidiaries (“NDIL”), received a Notice of Assessment from Mexico’s federal tax authorities in connection with the audit of NDIL’s Mexico branch for 2003. The notice proposed to deny depreciation expense deductions relating to drilling rigs operating in Mexico in 2003. The notice also proposed to deny a deduction for payments made to an affiliated company for the procurement of labor services in Mexico. NDIL’s Mexico branch took similar deductions for depreciation and labor expenses from 2004 to 2008. In 2009, the government proposed similar assessments against the Mexico branch of another wholly owned Bermuda subsidiary, Nabors Drilling International II Ltd. (“NDIL II”) for 2006. We anticipate that a similar assessment will eventually be proposed against NDIL through 2008 and against NDIL II for 2007 to 2010. Although we previously concluded that the deductions were appropriate for each of the years, a reserve has been recorded in accordance with GAAP. During 2013, we reached a negotiated settlement for NDIL’s 2003, 2005 and 2006 tax years (the statute of limitations had previously expired on the 2004 tax year) and NDIL II’s 2006 tax year. Accordingly, the corresponding reserves were reduced by approximately $20 million during 2013. After this settlement, the remaining amounts assessed or expected to be assessed in the aggregate, range from $30 million to $35 million, for which reserves are recorded in accordance with GAAP. If we ultimately do not prevail, we would be required to recognize additional tax expense for any amount in excess of the current reserve.
	Self-Insurance
	We estimate the level of our liability related to insurance and record reserves for these amounts in our consolidated financial statements. Our estimates are based on the facts and circumstances specific to existing claims and our past experience with similar claims. These loss estimates and accruals recorded in our financial statements for claims have historically been reasonable in light of the actual amount of claims paid and are actuarially supported.  Although we believe our insurance coverage and reserve estimates are reasonable, a significant accident or other event that is not fully covered by insurance or contractual indemnity could occur and could materially affect our financial position and results of operations for a particular period.
	We self-insure for certain losses relating to workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, general liability, automobile liability and property damage. Effective April 1, 2014, some of our workers’ compensation claims, employers’ liability and marine employers’ liability claims are subject to a $3.0 million per-occurrence deductible; additionally, some of our automobile liability claims are subject to a $2.5 million deductible.  General liability claims remain subject to a $5.0 million per-occurrence deductible.
	In addition, we are subject to a $5.0 million deductible for land rigs and for offshore rigs.  This applies to all kinds of risks of physical damage except for named windstorms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for which we are self-insured.
	Litigation
	Nabors and its subsidiaries are defendants or otherwise involved in a number of lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. We estimate the range of our liability related to pending litigation when we believe the amount and range of loss can be estimated. We record our best estimate of a loss when the loss is considered probable. When a liability is probable and there is a range of estimated loss with no best estimate in the range, we record the minimum estimated liability related to the lawsuits or claims. As additional information becomes available, we assess the potential liability related to our pending litigation and claims and revise our estimates. Due to uncertainties related to the resolution of lawsuits and claims, the ultimate outcome may differ from our estimates. For matters where an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible and significant, we disclose the nature of the matter and a range of potential exposure, unless an estimate cannot be made at the time of disclosure. In the opinion of management and based on liability accruals provided, our ultimate exposure with respect to these pending lawsuits and claims is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or cash flows, although they could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for a particular reporting period.
	In 2009, the Court of Ouargla entered a judgment of approximately $17.7 million (at current exchange rates) against us relating to alleged customs infractions in Algeria.  We believe we did not receive proper notice of the judicial proceedings, and that the amount of the judgment was excessive in any case.  We asserted the lack of legally required notice as a basis for challenging the judgment on appeal to the Algeria Supreme Court.  In May 2012, that court reversed the lower court and remanded the case to the Ouargla Court of Appeals for treatment consistent with the Supreme Court’s ruling. In January 2013, the Ouargla Court of Appeals reinstated the judgment.  We have again lodged an appeal to the Algeria Supreme Court, asserting the same challenges as before. Based upon our understanding of applicable law and precedent, we continue to believe that we will prevail. Although the appeal remains ongoing at this time, the Hassi Messaoud customs office recently initiated efforts to collect the judgment prior to the Supreme Court’s decision in the case.  As a result, we paid approximately $3.1 million and posted security of approximately $1.33 million to suspend those collection efforts and to enter into a formal negotiations process with the customs authority.  We have recorded a reserve in the amount of the posted security. If we are ultimately required to pay a fine or judgment related to this matter, the resulting loss could be up to $13.3 million in excess of amounts accrued.
	In 2011, the Court of Ouargla entered a judgment of approximately $34.8 million (at current exchange rates) against us relating to alleged violations of Algeria’s foreign currency exchange controls, which require that goods and services provided locally be invoiced and paid in local currency. The case relates to certain foreign currency payments made to us by CEPSA, a Spanish operator, for wells drilled in 2006. Approximately $7.5 million of the total contract amount was paid offshore in foreign currency, and approximately $3.2 million was paid in local currency. The judgment includes fines and penalties of approximately four times the amount at issue. We have appealed the ruling based on our understanding that the law in question applies only to resident entities incorporated under Algerian law. An intermediate court of appeals has upheld the lower court’s ruling, and we have appealed the matter to the Algeria Supreme Court. While our payments were consistent with our historical operations in the country, and, we believe, those of other multinational corporations there, as well as interpretations of the law by the Central Bank of Algeria, the ultimate resolution of this matter could result in a loss of up to $26.8 million in excess of amounts accrued.
	In 2012, Nabors Global Holdings II Limited (“NGH2L”) signed a contract with ERG Resources, LLC (“ERG”) relating to the sale of all of the Class A shares of NGH2L’s wholly owned subsidiary, Ramshorn International Limited, an oil and gas exploration company.  When ERG failed to meet its closing obligations, NGH2L terminated the transaction on March 19, 2012 and, as contemplated in the agreement, retained ERG’s $3.0 million escrow deposit. ERG filed suit the following day in the 61st Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas, in a case styled ERG Resources, LLC v. Nabors Global Holdings II Limited, Ramshorn International Limited, and Parex Resources, Inc.; Cause No. 2012-16446, seeking injunctive relief to halt any sale of the shares to a third party, specifically naming as defendant Parex Resources, Inc. (“Parex”).  The lawsuit also seeks monetary damages of up to $750.0 million based on an alleged breach of contract by NGH2L and alleged tortious interference with contractual relations by Parex. Nabors successfully defeated ERG’s effort to obtain a temporary restraining order from the Texas court on March 20, 2012.  Nabors completed the sale of Ramshorn’s Class A shares to a Parex affiliate in April 2012, which mooted ERG’s application for a temporary injunction.  The lawsuit is staid, pending further court actions. ERG retains its causes of action for monetary damages, but Nabors believes the claims are foreclosed by the terms of the agreement and are without factual or legal merit.  Although we are vigorously defending the lawsuit, its ultimate outcome cannot be determined at this time.
	Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements (Including Guarantees)
	We are a party to some transactions, agreements or other contractual arrangements defined as “off-balance sheet arrangements” that could have a material future effect on our financial position, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources.  The most significant of these off-balance sheet arrangements involve agreements and obligations under which we provide financial or performance assurance to third parties. Certain of these agreements serve as guarantees, including standby letters of credit issued on behalf of insurance carriers in conjunction with our workers’ compensation insurance program and other financial surety instruments such as bonds. In addition, we have provided indemnifications, which serve as guarantees, to some third parties. These guarantees include indemnification provided by Nabors to our share transfer agent and our insurance carriers. We are not able to estimate the potential future maximum payments that might be due under our indemnification guarantees.
	Management believes the likelihood that we would be required to perform or otherwise incur any material losses associated with any of these guarantees is remote. The following table summarizes the total maximum amount of financial guarantees issued by Nabors:
		Maximum Amount
		Remainder of		2015		2016		Thereafter		Total
		2014
		(In thousands)
	Financial standby letters of credit and other financial surety instruments	$	71,297	$	120,139	$	75	$	—	$	191,511

Earnings_Losses_Per_Share

Earnings (Losses) Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings (Losses) Per Share	'
Earnings (Losses) Per Share	'
	Note 10 Earnings (Losses) Per Share
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share computations is as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net income (loss) (numerator):
	Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	$	65,729		$	28,128		$	114,706		$	120,335
	Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(253		)	(5,616		)	(826		)	(5,713		)
	Less: loss on redemption of subsidiary preferred stock	(1,688		)	—			(1,688		)	—
	Less: (earnings) losses allocated to unvested shareholders	(974		)	(814		)	(1,707		)	—
	Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations - basic and diluted	$	62,814		$	21,698		$	110,485		$	114,622
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(1,032	)	$	(26,873	)	$	483		$	(19,862	)
	Earnings (losses) per share:
	Basic from continuing operations	$	0.21		$	0.08		$	0.37		$	0.41
	Basic from discontinued operations	—			(0.09		)	—			(0.09		)
	Total Basic	$	0.21		$	(0.01	)	$	0.37		$	0.32
	Diluted from continuing operations	$	0.21		$	0.08		$	0.37		$	0.41
	Diluted from discontinued operations	—			(0.09		)	—			(0.09		)
	Total Diluted	$	0.21		$	(0.01	)	$	0.37		$	0.32
	Shares (denominator):
	Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	297,984			294,747			297,097			293,217
	Net effect of dilutive stock options, warrants and restricted stock awards based on the if-converted method	2,997			2,372			2,919			2,427
	Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	300,981			297,119			300,016			295,644
	For all periods presented, the computation of diluted earnings (losses) per share excludes outstanding stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of our common shares, because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive and because they are not considered participating securities. The average number of options and warrants that were excluded from diluted earnings (losses) per share that would potentially dilute earnings per share were 5,782,273 and 11,578,175 shares during the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 6,817,891 and 12,015,219 shares during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  In any period during which the average market price of our common shares exceeds the exercise prices of these stock options and warrants, such stock options and warrants will be included in our diluted earnings (losses) per share computation using the if-converted method of accounting. Restricted stock is included in our basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share computation using the two-class method of accounting in all periods because such stock is considered participating securities.

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Inc

Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information	'
Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information	'
	Note 11 Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information
	Accrued liabilities include the following:
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Accrued compensation	$	153,783		$	172,803
	Deferred revenue	285,329			202,918
	Other taxes payable	45,067			76,781
	Workers’ compensation liabilities	29,459			29,459
	Interest payable	64,232			64,728
	Warranty accrual	4,448			4,653
	Litigation reserves	22,781			30,784
	Current liability to discontinued operations	28,824			64,404
	Professional fees	2,703			2,971
	Current deferred tax liability	3,075			3,075
	Current liability to acquisition of KVS	22,033			22,033
	Other accrued liabilities	13,107			22,484
		$	674,841		$	697,093
	Investment income (loss) includes the following:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Interest and dividend income	$	2,028		$	2,342		$	2,998		$	3,118
	Gains (losses) on investments, net	5,038			12,479			5,048		-1	91,124		-2
		$	7,066		$	14,821		$	8,046		$	94,242
	(1)     Includes realized gains of $5.0 million from the sale of available-for-sale securities.
	(2)     Includes realized gains of $88.7 million from the sale of available-for-sale securities and net realized gains of $2.4 million from the sale of our trading securities.
	Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net include the following:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Losses (gains) on sales, disposals and involuntary conversions of long-lived assets	$	11,114		$	1,934		$	13,546		$	5,344
	Termination of employment contract	—			—			—			45,000		-1
	Litigation expenses	567			(502		)	3,627			5,659
	Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	4,336			2,990			1,043			7,307
	Other losses (gains)	487			4,820			(236		)	5,669
		$	16,504		$	9,242		$	17,980		$	68,979
	(1)     Represents a one-time stock grant valued at $27 million, which vested immediately, and $18 million in cash awarded and paid to Mr. Petrello in connection with the termination of his prior employment agreement. See Note 9 — Commitments and Contingencies to our 2013 Annual Report for additional discussion.
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), by component, includes the following:
		Gains (losses)			Unrealized			Defined			Foreign			Total
		on cash flow			gains (losses)			benefit			currency items
		hedges			on available-			pension plan
					for-sale			items
					securities
		(In thousands)
	As of January 1, 2013	$	(2,793	)	$	134,229		$	(7,632	)	$	216,339		$	340,143	-2
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax of $70	—			4,913			—			(52,569		)	(47,656		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(1)	187			(85,454		)	344			—			(84,923		)
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)	187			(80,541		)	344			(52,569		)	(132,579		)
	As of June 30, 2013	$	(2,606	)	$	53,688		$	(7,288	)	$	163,770		$	207,564
		Gains (losses)			Unrealized			Defined			Foreign			Total
		on cash flow			gains (losses)			benefit			currency items
		hedges			on available-			pension plan
					for-sale			items
					securities
		(In thousands)
	As of January 1, 2014	$	(2,419	)	$	71,742		$	(4,075	)	$	150,892		$	216,140	-2
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax of $93	—			(19,626		)	—			(4,339		)	(23,965		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(1)	187			(3,960		)	151			—			(3,622		)
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)	187			(23,586		)	151			(4,339		)	(27,587		)
	As of June 30, 2014	$	(2,232	)	$	48,156		$	(3,924	)	$	146,553		$	188,553
	(1)     All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
	(2)     Reflects amounts reclassified from foreign currency translation adjustment to retained earnings as discussed in Note 2-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
The line items that were reclassified to net income include the following:
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
Line item in consolidated statement of income (loss)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Investment income (loss), net of income taxes of $(943), $(2,252), $(943) and $(2,703)	$	4,903		$	12,183		$	4,903		$	88,157
Interest expense, net of income taxes of $59, $59, $119 and $119	153			153			306			306
General and administrative expenses, net of income taxes of $47, $108, $95 and $217	123			281			246			562
Total before tax	$	4,627		$	11,749		$	4,351		$	87,289
Tax expense (benefit)	837			2,082			729			2,366
Reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income (loss)	$	3,790		$	9,667		$	3,622		$	84,923

Assets_HeldforSale_and_Discont

Assets Held-for-Sale and Discontinued Operations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Assets Held-for-Sale and Discontinued Operations	'
Assets Held-for-Sale and Discontinued Operations	'
	Note 12 Assets Held-for-Sale and Discontinued Operations
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Oil and Gas	$	233,163		$	239,936
	Rig Services	—			3,328
		$	233,163		$	243,264
	We have contracts with pipeline companies to pay specified fees based on committed volumes for gas transport and processing.  At June 30, 2014, our undiscounted contractual commitments for these contracts approximated $139.2 million and we had liabilities of $63.1 million, $28.8 million of which were classified as current and were included in accrued liabilities.  At December 31, 2013, we had liabilities of $113.6 million, $64.4 million of which were classified as current and were included in accrued liabilities. These amounts represent our best estimate of the fair value of the excess capacity of the pipeline commitments calculated using a discounted cash flow model, when considering our disposal plan, current production levels, natural gas prices and expected utilization of the pipeline over the remaining contractual term.  Decreases in actual production or natural gas prices could result in future charges related to excess pipeline commitments.
	Discontinued Operations
	Our condensed statements of income (loss) from discontinued operations for each operating segment were as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Operating revenues
	Oil and Gas	$	3,471		$	12,050		$	8,528		$	22,039
	Income (loss) from Oil and Gas discontinued operations:
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	(1,082	)	$	(10,272	)	$	1,536		$	(8,202	)
	Less: Impairment charges or other (gains) and losses on sale of wholly owned assets	409			34,663			1,411			36,663
	Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	(459		)	(10,882		)	(358		)	(11,165		)
	Income (loss) from Oil and Gas discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(1,032	)	$	(34,053	)	$	483		$	(33,700	)
	During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, Rig Services contributed operating revenues of $34.6 million and $81.8 million, respectively.  Income from discontinued operations, net of tax was $7.2 million and $13.8 million, respectively, for the same period.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Information	'
Segment Information	'
	Note 13 Segment Information
	The following table sets forth financial information with respect to our operating segments:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates: (1)
	Drilling & Rig Services:
	U.S.	$	532,894		$	467,129		$	1,043,370		$	951,902
	Canada	54,861			64,789			166,482			191,656
	International	391,251			351,421			766,320			672,937
	Rig Services (2)	161,740			118,120			305,466			252,351
	Subtotal Drilling & Rig Services (3)	1,140,746			1,001,459			2,281,638			2,068,846
	Completion & Production Services:
	Completion Services	276,639			254,016			504,538			516,154
	Production Services	258,378			244,602			533,778			496,173
	Subtotal Completion & Production Services (4)	535,017			498,618			1,038,316			1,012,327
	Other reconciling items (5)	(59,358		)	(40,751		)	(116,376		)	(83,474		)
	Total	$	1,616,405		$	1,459,326		$	3,203,578		$	2,997,699
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities (1) (6)
	Drilling & Rig Services:
	U.S.	$	89,977		$	69,813		$	162,471		$	147,408
	Canada	225			3,895			26,385			34,413
	International	50,583			32,481			98,702			53,950
	Rig Services (2)	9,059			(5,383		)	17,787			(4,096		)
	Subtotal Drilling & Rig Services (3)	149,844			100,806			305,345			231,675
	Completion & Production Services:
	Completion Services	(581		)	6,870			(34,216		)	24,626
	Production Services	29,889			23,471			60,480			49,485
	Subtotal Completion & Production Services (4)	29,308			30,341			26,264			74,111
	Other reconciling items (5)	(45,692		)	(41,543		)	(89,108		)	(73,044		)
	Total adjusted income (loss)
	derived from operating activities	$	133,460		$	89,604		$	242,501		$	232,742
	Interest expense	(46,303		)	(60,273		)	(91,113		)	(120,284		)
	Investment income (loss)	7,066			14,821			8,046			94,242
	Gains (losses) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other income (expense), net	(16,504		)	(9,242		)	(17,980		)	(68,979		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	77,719			34,910			141,454			137,721
	Income tax expense (benefit)	10,756			6,032			24,764			15,886
	Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	1,234			750			1,984			1,500
	Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	65,729			28,128			114,706			120,335
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,032		)	(26,873		)	483			(19,862		)
	Net income (loss)	64,697			1,255			115,189			100,473
	Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(253		)	(5,616		)	(826		)	(5,713		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	64,444		$	(4,361	)	$	114,363		$	94,760
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Total assets:
	Drilling & Rig Services:
	U.S.	$	4,352,311		$	4,248,630
	Canada	647,313			608,018
	International	3,817,316			3,584,339
	Rig Services	503,222			474,275
	Subtotal Drilling & Rig Services (7)	9,320,162			8,915,262
	Completion & Production Services (8) (9)	2,319,326			2,394,865
	Other reconciling items (5)	796,511			849,684
	Total assets:	$	12,435,999		$	12,159,811
	(1)     All periods present the operating activities of our wholly owned oil and gas businesses, our previously held equity interests in oil and gas joint ventures in Canada and Colombia, aircraft logistics operations and construction services as discontinued operations.
	(2)     Includes our drilling technology and top drive manufacturing, directional drilling, rig instrumentation and software services. These services represent our other companies that are not aggregated into a reportable operating segment.
	(3)     Includes earnings (losses), net from unconsolidated affiliates, accounted for using the equity method, of $(0.8) million and $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and $(3.3) million and $4.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	(4)     Includes earnings (losses), net from unconsolidated affiliates, accounted for using the equity method, of $0.2 million for each of the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and $0.3 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
(5)     Represents the elimination of inter-segment transactions and unallocated corporate expenses and assets.
(6)     Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities is computed by subtracting the sum of direct costs, general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization from the sum of Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates. These amounts should not be used as a substitute for the amounts reported in accordance with GAAP. However, management evaluates the performance of our business units and the consolidated company based on several criteria, including adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities, because it believes that these financial measures accurately reflect our ongoing profitability. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, which is a GAAP measure, is provided in the above table.
(7)     Includes $51.3 million and $56.9 million of investments in unconsolidated affiliates accounted for using the equity method as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
(8)     Reflects assets allocated to the line of business necessary to conduct its operations. Further allocation to individual operating segments of Completion & Production Services is not available.
(9)     Includes $9.2 million and $7.4 million of investments in unconsolidated affiliates accounted for using the equity method as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'
	Note 14 Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
	Nabors has fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of the issued public debt securities of Nabors Delaware, a 100% owned subsidiary. Nabors’ guarantee of the issuer is joint and several. Nabors, as guarantor, has no restrictions on dividends paid to shareholders. The following condensed consolidating financial information is included so that separate financial statements of Nabors Delaware are not required to be filed with the SEC. The condensed consolidating financial statements present investments in both consolidated and unconsolidated affiliates using the equity method of accounting.
	The following condensed consolidating financial information presents condensed consolidating balance sheets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and statements of income (loss) and statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 of (a) Nabors, parent/guarantor, (b) Nabors Delaware, issuer of public debt securities guaranteed by Nabors, (c) the non-guarantor subsidiaries, (d) consolidating adjustments necessary to consolidate Nabors and its subsidiaries and (e) Nabors on a consolidated basis.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
		June 30, 2014
								Other
		Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
		(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
		Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
		(In thousands)
		ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,106		$	4		$	409,848		$	—		$	410,958
	Short-term investments	—			—			75,386			—			75,386
	Assets held for sale	—			—			233,163			—			233,163
	Accounts receivable, net	—			—			1,448,511			—			1,448,511
	Inventory	—			—			216,444			—			216,444
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			87,354			—			87,354
	Other current assets	2,024			28,465			308,333			—			338,822
	Total current assets	3,130			28,469			2,779,039			—			2,810,638
	Long-term investments	—			—			2,724			—			2,724
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			32,072			8,800,894			—			8,832,966
	Goodwill	—			—			512,897			—			512,897
	Intercompany receivables	167,610			—			1,614,989			(1,782,599		)	—
	Investment in consolidated affiliates	5,901,195			6,141,915			1,780,798			(13,823,908		)	—
	Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			60,509			—			60,509
	Other long-term assets	—			31,531			184,734			—			216,265
	Total assets	$	6,071,935		$	6,233,987		$	15,736,584		$	(15,606,507	)	$	12,435,999
		LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Current portion of debt	$	—		$	—		$	207		$	—		$	207
	Trade accounts payable	117			2			617,708			—			617,827
	Accrued liabilities	392			63,888			610,561			—			674,841
	Income taxes payable	—			—			26,711			—			26,711
	Total current liabilities	509			63,890			1,255,187			—			1,319,586
	Long-term debt	—			3,956,269			21			—			3,956,290
	Other long-term liabilities	—			30,061			566,469			—			596,530
	Deferred income taxes	—			(255,590		)	737,261			—			481,671
	Intercompany payable	—			1,782,599			—			(1,782,599		)	—
	Total liabilities	509			5,577,229			2,558,938			(1,782,599		)	6,354,077
	Subsidiary preferred stock	—			—			—			—			—
	Shareholders’ equity	6,071,426			656,758			13,167,150			(13,823,908		)	6,071,426
	Noncontrolling interest	—			—			10,496			—			10,496
	Total equity	6,071,426			656,758			13,177,646			(13,823,908		)	6,081,922
	Total liabilities and equity	$	6,071,935		$	6,233,987		$	15,736,584		$	(15,606,507	)	$	12,435,999
		December 31, 2013
								Other
		Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
		(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
		Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
		(In thousands)
		ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash	$	730		$	7,029		$	382,156		$	—		$	389,915
	Short-term investments	—			—			117,218			—			117,218
	Assets held for sale	—			—			243,264			—			243,264
	Accounts receivable, net	27			—			1,399,516			—			1,399,543
	Inventory	—			—			209,793			—			209,793
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			121,316			—			121,316
	Other current assets	50			26,378			246,353			—			272,781
	Total current assets	807			33,407			2,719,616			—			2,753,830
	Long-term investments	—			—			3,236			—			3,236
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			33,815			8,563,998			—			8,597,813
Goodwill	—			—			512,964			—			512,964
Intercompany receivables	160,136			3,891			1,583,539			(1,747,566		)	—
Investment in consolidated affiliates	5,808,607			6,097,337			1,789,851			(13,695,795		)	—
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			64,260			—			64,260
Other long-term assets	—			34,487			193,221			—			227,708
Total assets	$	5,969,550		$	6,202,937		$	15,430,685		$	(15,443,361	)	$	12,159,811
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current debt	$	—		$	—		$	10,185		$	—		$	10,185
Trade accounts payable	86			25			545,401			—			545,512
Accrued liabilities	378			65,947			630,768			—			697,093
Income taxes payable	—			—			58,634			—			58,634
Total current liabilities	464			65,972			1,244,988			—			1,311,424
Long-term debt	—			3,904,059			58			—			3,904,117
Other long-term liabilities	—			31,071			346,673			—			377,744
Deferred income taxes	—			(213,233		)	729,394			—			516,161
Intercompany payable	—			1,747,566			—			(1,747,566		)	—
Total liabilities	464			5,535,435			2,321,113			(1,747,566		)	6,109,446
Subsidiary preferred stock	—			—			69,188			—			69,188
Shareholders’ equity	5,969,086			667,502			13,028,293			(13,695,795		)	5,969,086
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			12,091			—			12,091
Total equity	5,969,086			667,502			13,040,384			(13,695,795		)	5,981,177
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,969,550		$	6,202,937		$	15,430,685		$	(15,443,361	)	$	12,159,811
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
							Other
	Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	1,616,981		$	—		$	1,616,981
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			(576		)	—			(576		)
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	67,009			53,368			21,844			(142,221		)	—
Investment income (loss)	—			146			8,056			(1,136		)	7,066
Intercompany Interest income	—			—			—			—			—
Total revenues and other income	67,009			53,514			1,646,305			(143,357		)	1,623,471
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	—			—			1,066,495			—			1,066,495
General and administrative expenses	2,439			(31		)	131,351			(129		)	133,630
Depreciation and amortization	—			902			281,918			—			282,820
Interest expense	—			49,313			(3,010		)	—			46,303
Intercompany interest expense	(3		)	—			3			—			—
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	129			—			16,246			129			16,504
Other	—			—			—			—			—
Total costs and other deductions	2,565			50,184			1,493,003			—			1,545,752
Income from continuing operations before income tax	64,444			3,330			153,302			(143,357		)	77,719
Income tax expense (benefit)	—			(18,514		)	29,270			—			10,756
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	—			—			1,234			—			1,234
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	64,444			21,844			122,798			(143,357		)	65,729
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			(1,032		)	—			(1,032		)
Net income (loss)	64,444			21,844			121,766			(143,357		)	64,697
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(253		)	—			(253		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	64,444		$	21,844		$	121,513		$	(143,357	)	$	64,444
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
							Other
	Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	1,491,586		$	—		$	1,491,586
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			1,360			—			1,360
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(1,005		)	13,700			(26,331		)	13,636			—
Investment income (loss)	1			36			17,057			(2,273		)	14,821
Intercompany Interest income	—			32			—			(32		)	—
Total revenues and other income	(1,004		)	13,768			1,483,672			11,331			1,507,767
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	—			—			999,192			—			999,192
General and administrative expenses	3,221			390			129,137			(136		)	132,612
Depreciation and amortization	—			903			269,296			—			270,199
Interest expense	—			62,405			(2,134		)	—			60,271
Intercompany interest expense	—			—			32			(32		)	—
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	136			(89		)	9,129			136			9,312
Other	—			—			—			—			—
Total costs and other deductions	3,357			63,609			1,404,652			(32		)	1,471,586
Income from continuing operations before income tax	(4,361		)	(49,841		)	79,020			11,363			36,181
Income tax expense (benefit)	—			(23,510		)	29,682			—			6,172
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	—			—			750			—			750
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(4,361		)	(26,331		)	48,588			11,363			29,259
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			(28,004		)	—			(28,004		)
Net income (loss)	(4,361		)	(26,331		)	20,584			11,363			1,255
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(5,616		)	—			(5,616		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	(4,361	)	$	(26,331	)	$	14,968		$	11,363		$	(4,361	)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
							Other
	Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	3,206,599		$	—		$	3,206,599
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			(3,021		)	—			(3,021		)
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	119,592			44,608			(18,245		)	(145,955		)	—
Investment income (loss)	—			146			10,172			(2,272		)	8,046
Intercompany Interest income	—			—			—			—			—
Total revenues and other income	119,592			44,754			3,195,505			(148,227		)	3,211,624
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	—			—			2,128,234			—			2,128,234
General and administrative expenses	4,892			(350		)	263,632			(278		)	267,896
Depreciation and amortization	—			1,804			563,143			—			564,947
Interest expense	—			98,682			(7,569		)	—			91,113
Intercompany interest expense	59			—			(59		)	—			—
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	278			(223		)	17,647			278			17,980
Other	—			—			—			—			—
Total costs and other deductions	5,229			99,913			2,965,028			—			3,070,170
Income from continuing operations before income tax	114,363			(55,159		)	230,477			(148,227		)	141,454
Income tax expense (benefit)	—			(36,914		)	61,678			—			24,764
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	—			—			1,984			—			1,984
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	114,363			(18,245		)	166,815			(148,227		)	114,706
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			483			—			483
Net income (loss)	114,363			(18,245		)	167,298			(148,227		)	115,189
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(826		)	—			(826		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	114,363		$	(18,245	)	$	166,472		$	(148,227	)	$	114,363
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
							Other
	Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	3,070,231		$	—		$	3,070,231
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			4,255			—			4,255
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	106,868			56,020			(24,308		)	(138,580		)	—
Investment income (loss)	1			52			96,462			(2,273		)	94,242
Intercompany Interest income	—			61			—			(61		)	—
Total revenues and other income	106,869			56,133			3,146,640			(140,914		)	3,168,728
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	—			—			2,025,234			—			2,025,234
General and administrative expenses	5,055			427			259,955			(280		)	265,157
Depreciation and amortization	—			1,805			541,759			—			543,564
Interest expense	—			125,454			(5,175		)	—			120,279
Intercompany interest expense	—			—			61			(61		)	—
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	7,054			(68		)	61,853			280			69,119
Other	—			—			—			—			—
Total costs and other deductions	12,109			127,618			2,883,687			(61		)	3,023,353
Income from continuing operations before income tax	94,760			(71,485		)	262,953			(140,853		)	145,375
Income tax expense (benefit)	—			(47,177		)	64,621			—			17,444
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	—			—			1,500			—			1,500
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	94,760			(24,308		)	196,832			(140,853		)	126,431
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			(25,958		)	—			(25,958		)
Net income (loss)	94,760			(24,308		)	170,874			(140,853		)	100,473
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(5,713		)	—			(5,713		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	94,760		$	(24,308	)	$	165,161		$	(140,853	)	$	94,760
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
							Other
	Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	64,444		$	21,844		$	121,513		$	(143,357	)	$	64,444
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	32,255			1,937			32,458			(34,395		)	32,255
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(325		)	243			(82		)	(161		)	(325		)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on marketable securities	(4,903		)	(506		)	(5,409		)	5,915			(4,903		)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(5,228		)	(263		)	(5,491		)	5,754			(5,228		)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	123			123			246			(369		)	123
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153			153			153			(306		)	153
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	27,303			1,950			27,366			(29,316		)	27,303
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(784		)	(784		)	(1,863		)	2,647			(784		)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	28,087			2,734			29,229			(31,963		)	28,087
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	92,531			24,578			150,742			(175,320		)	92,531
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			253			—			253
Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest	—			—			379			—			379
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			632			—			632
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	92,531		$	24,578		$	151,374		$	(175,320	)	$	93,163
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
							Other
	Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	(4,361	)	$	(26,331	)	$	14,968		$	11,363		$	(4,361	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(29,304		)	(94		)	(29,398		)	29,492			(29,304		)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(5,137		)	48			(5,089		)	5,041			(5,137		)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on marketable securities	(12,183		)	(5,928		)	(18,111		)	24,039			(12,183		)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(17,320		)	(5,880		)	(23,200		)	29,080			(17,320		)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	281			281			562			(843		)	281
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153			153			153			(306		)	153
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	(46,190		)	(5,540		)	(51,883		)	57,423			(46,190		)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,063		)	(2,063		)	(4,185		)	6,248			(2,063		)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(44,127		)	(3,477		)	(47,698		)	51,175			(44,127		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(48,488		)	(29,808		)	(32,730		)	62,538			(48,488		)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			5,616			—			5,616
Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest	—			—			613			—			613
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			6,229			—			6,229
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(48,488	)	$	(29,808	)	$	(26,501	)	$	62,538		$	(42,259	)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
							Other
	Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	114,363		$	(18,245	)	$	166,472		$	(148,227	)	$	114,363
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(4,339		)	1,721			(4,355		)	2,634			(4,339		)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(19,533		)	243			(19,290		)	19,047			(19,533		)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on marketable securities	(4,903		)	(506		)	(5,409		)	5,915			(4,903		)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(24,436		)	(263		)	(24,699		)	24,962			(24,436		)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	246			246			492			(738		)	246
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	306			306			306			(612		)	306
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	(28,223		)	2,010			(28,256		)	26,246			(28,223		)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(636		)	(636		)	(1,627		)	2,263			(636		)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(27,587		)	2,646			(26,629		)	23,983			(27,587		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	86,776			(15,599		)	139,843			(124,244		)	86,776
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			826			—			826
Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(102		)	—			(102		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			724			—			724
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	86,776		$	(15,599	)	$	140,567		$	(124,244	)	$	87,500
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
							Other
	Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	94,760		$	(24,308	)	$	165,161		$	(140,853	)	$	94,760
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(52,569		)	(146		)	(52,715		)	52,861			(52,569		)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	5,002			233			5,235			(5,468		)	5,002
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on marketable securities	(88,157		)	(7,114		)	(95,271		)	102,385			(88,157		)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(83,155		)	(6,881		)	(90,036		)	96,917			(83,155		)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	562			562			1,124			(1,686		)	562
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	306			306			306			(612		)	306
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	(134,856		)	(6,159		)	(141,321		)	147,480			(134,856		)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,277		)	(2,277		)	(4,672		)	6,949			(2,277		)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(132,579		)	(3,882		)	(136,649		)	140,531			(132,579		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(37,819		)	(28,190		)	28,512			(322		)	(37,819		)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			5,713			—			5,713
Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(801		)	—			(801		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			4,912			—			4,912
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(37,819	)	$	(28,190	)	$	33,424		$	(322	)	$	(32,907	)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
							Other
	Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	$	(11,728	)	$	(62,435	)	$	906,048		$	14,152		$	846,037
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of investments	—			—			(266		)	—			(266		)
Sales and maturities of investments	—			—			23,238			—			23,238
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	—			—			(10,200		)	—			(10,200		)
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			(1,612		)	—			(1,612		)
Capital expenditures	—			—			(862,680		)	—			(862,680		)
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	—			—			69,343			—			69,343
Proceeds from sales of unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			—			—			—
Other	—			—			(761		)	—			(761		)
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates	—			—			—			—			—
Changes in intercompany balances	—			4,182			(4,182		)	—			—
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	—			4,182			787,120			—			(782,905		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	—			—			(3,382		)	—			(3,382		)
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	29,048			—			(1		)	—			29,047
Dividends to shareholders	(26,064		)	—			—			2,272			(23,792		)
Proceeds from (payments for) commercial paper, net	—			111,228			—			—			111,228
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	—			—			—			—			—
Proceeds from parent contributions	—			—			—			—			—
Debt issuance costs	—			—			—			—			—
Proceeds from debt	—			—			15,000			—			15,000
Reduction in revolving credit facilities	—			—			—			—			—
Reduction in long-term debt	—			(60,000		)	(15,000		)	—			(75,000		)
Reduction in short-term debt	—			—			(10,000		)	—			(10,000		)
Redemption of subsidiary Preferred Shares	—			—			(70,875		)	—			(70,875		)
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of parent common shares to affiliates	16,424			—			—			(16,424		)	—
Other	(7,304		)	—			—			—			(7,304		)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	12,104			51,228			(84,258		)	(14,152		)	(35,078		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(6,978		)	—			(6,978		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	376			(7,025		)	27,692			—			21,043
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	730			7,029			382,156			—			389,915
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	1,106		$	4		$	409,848		$	—		$	410,958
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
							Other
	Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	$	(4,554	)	$	(147,280	)	$	787,443		$	29,799		$	665,408
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of investments	—			—			—			—			—
Sales and maturities of investments	—			—			163,161			—			163,161
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	—			—			(37,516		)	—			(37,516		)
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			(3,927		)	—			(3,927		)
Capital expenditures	—			—			(500,368		)	—			(500,368		)
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	—			—			29,731			—			29,731
Proceeds from sales of unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			10,000			—			10,000
Other	—			—			(3,142		)	—			(3,142		)
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates	—			(626,000		)	(1,252,000		)	1,878,000			—
Changes in intercompany balances	—			348,367			(348,367		)	—			—
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	—			(277,633		)	(1,942,428		)	1,878,000			(342,061		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	—			—			(8,686		)	—			(8,686		)
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	3,200			—			—			—			3,200
Dividends to shareholders	(25,825		)	—			—			2,273			(23,552		)
Proceeds from (payments for) commercial paper, net	—			295,000			—			—			295,000
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	—			—			—			—			—
Proceeds from parent contributions	—			626,000			1,252,000			(1,878,000		)	—
Debt issuance costs	—			(87		)	—			—			(87		)
Proceeds from debt	—			—			11,569			—			11,569
Reduction in revolving credit facilities	—			(590,000		)	—			—			(590,000		)
Reduction in long-term debt	—			—			(17,853		)	—			(17,853		)
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of parent common shares to affiliates	32,072			—			—			(32,072		)	—
Other	(3,023		)	—			—			—			(3,023		)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	6,424			330,913			1,237,030			(1,907,799		)	(333,432		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(6,709		)	—			(6,709		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,870			(94,000		)	75,336			—			(16,794		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,639			106,778			416,505			—			524,922
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	3,509		$	12,778		$	491,841		$	—		$	508,128

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Note 15 Subsequent Events
	On July 31, 2014, we sold our oil and gas properties located on the North Slope of Alaska. Under the terms of the agreement, we received $35 million at closing and expect to receive additional payments of $27 million upon the properties achieving certain production targets in subsequent years. In addition, we will retain a working interest at various interests and an overriding royalty interest in the properties at various interests. The working interest is fully carried up to $600 million of total project costs. The transaction generally remains subject to approval of local Alaska regulatory authorities, among other usual and customary conditions.
	On July 24, 2014, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.06 per share to the holders of record of our common shares as of September 9, 2014 to be paid on September 30, 2014.
	On July 30, 2014, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Nabors Red Lion Limited (“Red Lion”), along with C&J Energy Services, Inc. (“CJES”), and the members of the board of directors of CJES, including its management directors, were sued in a putative shareholder class action by the stockholders of CJES.  The case is styled City of Miami General Employees’ and Sanitation Employees’ Retirement Trust, et al. v. C&J Energy Services, Inc., et al.; C.A. No. 9980; In the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.  The complaint alleges that the CJES directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the transaction between CJES, Nabors and Red Lion, and that Nabors and Red Lion aided and abetted these alleged violations.  The complaint seeks injunctive relief, including an injunction against the consummation of the transactions, together with attorney’s fees and costs.  We believe that the case is without merit and intend to vigorously defend it.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
Interim Financial Information	'
	Interim Financial Information
	The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nabors are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted.  Therefore, these financial statements should be read along with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Annual Report”).  In management’s opinion, the consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of June 30, 2014, as well as the results of our operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and our cash flows and changes in equity for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, in accordance with GAAP.  Interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2014 may not be indicative of results that will be realized for the full year ending December 31, 2014.
	Our independent registered public accounting firm has reviewed and issued a report on these consolidated interim financial statements in accordance with standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.  Pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this report should not be considered a part of any registration statement prepared or certified within the meanings of Sections 7 and 11 of such Act.
Prior Period Revision	'
	Prior Period Revision
	During the first quarter of 2014, we determined that we had incorrectly applied certain aspects of ASC 830 - Foreign Currency Matters with respect to the recording of foreign currency gains or losses on certain intercompany transactions.  GAAP requires the recognition of foreign currency gains or losses on U.S. dollar denominated intercompany balances of our subsidiaries that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar.  The impact was primarily related to the periods between 2002 and 2009, which is the period over which a series of intercompany loans were outstanding between our Canadian subsidiary, whose functional currency is the Canadian dollar, and other subsidiaries whose functional currencies are the U.S. dollar.
	The net effect understated net income for periods before 2009 by approximately $91.5 million, due to foreign currency gains that should have been recorded through net income, rather than through Cumulative Translation Adjustment (a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income).  The correction of this error resulted in a revision to increase the beginning Retained Earnings at January 1, 2010 by approximately $91.5 million with the offset being a decrease to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, both of which are components of Shareholders’ Equity.  There was no other material impact to our assets, liabilities, cash flows or profit and loss for any periods presented. We do not consider this revision material to any period.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nabors, as well as all majority owned and non-majority owned subsidiaries required to be consolidated under GAAP.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
	Investments in operating entities where we have the ability to exert significant influence, but where we do not control operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method.  Our share of the net income (loss) of these entities is recorded as earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates in our consolidated statements of income (loss).  The investments in these entities are included in investment in unconsolidated affiliates in our consolidated balance sheets.
Inventory	'
	Inventory
	Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out or weighted-average cost methods and includes the cost of materials, labor and manufacturing overhead.  Inventory included the following:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials	$	139,090	$	128,606
	Work-in-progress	38,537		26,762
	Finished goods	38,817		54,425
		$	216,444	$	209,793
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill
	We initially assess goodwill for impairment based on qualitative factors to determine whether to perform the two-step annual goodwill impairment test, a Level 3 fair value measurement. After qualitative assessment, step one of the impairment test compares the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, a second step is required to measure the goodwill impairment loss. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess
	The fair values calculated in these impairment tests were determined using discounted cash flow models involving assumptions based on our utilization of rigs or other oil and gas service equipment, revenues and earnings from affiliates, as well as direct costs, general and administrative costs, depreciation, applicable income taxes, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Our discounted cash flow projections for each reporting unit were based on financial forecasts. The future cash flows were discounted to present value using discount rates determined to be appropriate for each reporting unit. Terminal values for each reporting unit were calculated using a Gordon Growth methodology with a long-term growth rate of 3%.
	Our estimated fair values of our reporting units incorporate judgment and the use of estimates by management. Potential factors requiring assessment include a further or sustained decline in our stock price, declines in oil and natural gas prices, a variance in results of operations from forecasts, and additional transactions in the oil and gas industry. Another factor in determining whether impairment has occurred is the relationship between our market capitalization and our book value. As part of our annual review, we compared the sum of our reporting units’ estimated fair value, which included the estimated fair value of non-operating assets and liabilities, less debt, to our market capitalization and assessed the reasonableness of our estimated fair value. Any of the above-mentioned factors may cause us to re-evaluate goodwill during any quarter throughout the year.
	Based on our review, there was no goodwill impairment.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) relating to the reporting of discontinued operations and the disclosures related to disposals of components of an entity. The core principles address the question around whether the disposal represents a strategic shift, if the operations and cash flows can be clearly distinguished and continuing involvement will no longer preclude a disposal from being presented as discontinued operations. These changes are effective for interim and annual periods that begin after December 15, 2014. Early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this will have on our consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued an ASU relating to the revenue recognition from contracts with customers that creates a common revenue standard for GAAP and IFRS. The core principle will require recognition of revenue to represent the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration, including costs incurred, to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. These changes are effective for interim and annual periods that begin after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this will have on our consolidated financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued an ASU relating to the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period.  The core principle will require the reporting entity to apply existing guidance in Topic 718-Compensation-Stock Compensation relating to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards.  As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered.  These changes are effective for interim and annual periods that begin after December 15, 2015. Early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
Inventory	'
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials	$	139,090	$	128,606
	Work-in-progress	38,537		26,762
	Finished goods	38,817		54,425
		$	216,444	$	209,793

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_and_1

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments	'
Certain information related to our cash and cash equivalents and short term investments	'
		June 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Fair Value		Gross		Gross			Fair Value		Gross		Gross
				Unrealized		Unrealized					Unrealized		Unrealized
				Holding		Holding					Holding		Holding
				Gains		Losses					Gains		Losses
		(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	410,958	$	—	$	—		$	389,915	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments:
	Available-for-sale equity securities	75,366		48,041		—			96,942		68,395		—
	Available-for-sale debt securities:
	Corporate debt securities	—		—		—			19,388		4,122		—
	Mortgage-backed debt securities	—		—		—			210		11		—
	Mortgage-CMO debt securities	20		—		(1		)	20		—		(2		)
	Asset-backed debt securities	—		—		—			658		2		(54		)
	Total available-for-sale debt securities	20		—		(1		)	20,276		4,135		(56		)
	Total available-for-sale securities	75,386		48,041		(1		)	117,218		72,530		(56		)
	Total short-term investments	75,386		48,041		(1		)	117,218		72,530		(56		)
	Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	$	486,344	$	48,041	$	(1	)	$	507,133	$	72,530	$	(56	)
Gross unrealized losses of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments	'
		As of June 30, 2014
		Less Than 12 Months				More Than 12 Months
		Fair Value		Gross		Fair Value			Gross
				Unrealized					Unrealized
				Losses					Losses
		(In thousands)
	Available-for-sale debt securities:
	Mortgage-CMO debt securities	$	—	$	—	$	20		$	1
	Total available-for-sale debt securities	—		—		20			1
	Total	$	—	$	—	$	20		$	1
Estimated fair values of corporate, mortgage-backed, mortgage-CMO and asset-backed debt securities	'
		Estimated
		Fair Value
		June 30, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Debt securities:
	Due in one year or less	$	—
	Due after one year through five years	—
	Due in more than five years	20
	Total debt securities	$	20
Debt and equity securities	'
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014			2013
		(In thousands)				(In thousands)
	Available-for-sale
	Proceeds from sales and maturities	$	22,178	$	20,352	$	22,313		$	106,953
	Realized gains (losses), net	$	4,903	$	12,183	$	4,903		$	88,157

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements	'
Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'
		Fair Value as of June 30, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Short-term investments:
	Available-for-sale equity securities (energy industry)	$	74,504	$	862	$	—	$	75,366
	Available-for-sale debt securities:
	Mortgage-CMO debt securities	—		20		—		20
	Total short-term investments	$	74,504	$	882	$	—	$	75,386
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
		June 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Value		Value		Value		Value
		(In thousands)
	2.35% senior notes due September 2016	$	349,853	$	358,596	$	349,820	$	354,694
	6.15% senior notes due February 2018	970,541		1,113,255		969,928		1,097,480
	9.25% senior notes due January 2019	339,607		434,405		339,607		428,733
	5.00% senior notes due September 2020	698,100		785,883		697,947		731,955
	4.625% senior notes due September 2021	698,268		756,623		698,148		709,793
	5.10% senior notes due September 2023	348,829		385,284		348,765		349,731
	Subsidiary preferred stock (1)	—		—		69,188		69,000
	Revolving credit facility	110,000		110,000		170,000		170,000
	Commercial paper	441,072		441,072		329,844		329,844
	Other	227		227		10,243		10,243
	Total	$	3,956,497	$	4,385,345	$	3,983,490	$	4,251,473
	(1)     We redeemed all outstanding subsidiary preferred stock during the current quarter.  See Note 8 — Subsidiary Preferred Stock for additional discussion.

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables) (Restricted Stock Based on Market Conditions)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Based on Market Conditions	'
Share-based compensation disclosures	'
Schedule of grant date fair value	'
		2014			2013
	Risk free interest rate	0.8		%	0.41		%
	Expected volatility	40		%	46		%
	Closing stock price	$	18.19		$	16.53
	Expected term (in years)	2.97			2.82

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt	'
Long-term debt	'
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	2.35% senior notes due September 2016	$	349,853	$	349,820
	6.15% senior notes due February 2018	970,541		969,928
	9.25% senior notes due January 2019	339,607		339,607
	5.00% senior notes due September 2020	698,100		697,947
	4.625% senior notes due September 2021	698,268		698,148
	5.10% senior notes due September 2023	348,829		348,765
	Revolving credit facility	110,000		170,000
	Commercial paper	441,072		329,844
	Other	227		10,243
		$	3,956,497	$	3,914,302
	Less: current portion	207		10,185
		$	3,956,290	$	3,904,117

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Summary of total maximum amount of financial guarantees issued	'
		Maximum Amount
		Remainder of		2015		2016		Thereafter		Total
		2014
		(In thousands)
	Financial standby letters of credit and other financial surety instruments	$	71,297	$	120,139	$	75	$	—	$	191,511

Earnings_Losses_Per_Share_Tabl

Earnings (Losses) Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings (Losses) Per Share	'
Earnings (losses) per share computations	'
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net income (loss) (numerator):
	Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	$	65,729		$	28,128		$	114,706		$	120,335
	Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(253		)	(5,616		)	(826		)	(5,713		)
	Less: loss on redemption of subsidiary preferred stock	(1,688		)	—			(1,688		)	—
	Less: (earnings) losses allocated to unvested shareholders	(974		)	(814		)	(1,707		)	—
	Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations - basic and diluted	$	62,814		$	21,698		$	110,485		$	114,622
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(1,032	)	$	(26,873	)	$	483		$	(19,862	)
	Earnings (losses) per share:
	Basic from continuing operations	$	0.21		$	0.08		$	0.37		$	0.41
	Basic from discontinued operations	—			(0.09		)	—			(0.09		)
	Total Basic	$	0.21		$	(0.01	)	$	0.37		$	0.32
	Diluted from continuing operations	$	0.21		$	0.08		$	0.37		$	0.41
	Diluted from discontinued operations	—			(0.09		)	—			(0.09		)
	Total Diluted	$	0.21		$	(0.01	)	$	0.37		$	0.32
	Shares (denominator):
	Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	297,984			294,747			297,097			293,217
	Net effect of dilutive stock options, warrants and restricted stock awards based on the if-converted method	2,997			2,372			2,919			2,427
	Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	300,981			297,119			300,016			295,644

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Inc1

Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information	'
Accrued liabilities	'
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Accrued compensation	$	153,783		$	172,803
	Deferred revenue	285,329			202,918
	Other taxes payable	45,067			76,781
	Workers’ compensation liabilities	29,459			29,459
	Interest payable	64,232			64,728
	Warranty accrual	4,448			4,653
	Litigation reserves	22,781			30,784
	Current liability to discontinued operations	28,824			64,404
	Professional fees	2,703			2,971
	Current deferred tax liability	3,075			3,075
	Current liability to acquisition of KVS	22,033			22,033
	Other accrued liabilities	13,107			22,484
		$	674,841		$	697,093
Investment income (loss)	'
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Interest and dividend income	$	2,028		$	2,342		$	2,998		$	3,118
	Gains (losses) on investments, net	5,038			12,479			5,048		-1	91,124		-2
		$	7,066		$	14,821		$	8,046		$	94,242
	(1)     Includes realized gains of $5.0 million from the sale of available-for-sale securities.
	(2)     Includes realized gains of $88.7 million from the sale of available-for-sale securities and net realized gains of $2.4 million from the sale of our trading securities.
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	'
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Losses (gains) on sales, disposals and involuntary conversions of long-lived assets	$	11,114		$	1,934		$	13,546		$	5,344
	Termination of employment contract	—			—			—			45,000		-1
	Litigation expenses	567			(502		)	3,627			5,659
	Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	4,336			2,990			1,043			7,307
	Other losses (gains)	487			4,820			(236		)	5,669
		$	16,504		$	9,242		$	17,980		$	68,979
	(1)     Represents a one-time stock grant valued at $27 million, which vested immediately, and $18 million in cash awarded and paid to Mr. Petrello in connection with the termination of his prior employment agreement. See Note 9 — Commitments and Contingencies to our 2013 Annual Report for additional discussion.
Schedule of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'
		Gains (losses)			Unrealized			Defined			Foreign			Total
		on cash flow			gains (losses)			benefit			currency items
		hedges			on available-			pension plan
					for-sale			items
					securities
		(In thousands)
	As of January 1, 2013	$	(2,793	)	$	134,229		$	(7,632	)	$	216,339		$	340,143	-2
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax of $70	—			4,913			—			(52,569		)	(47,656		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(1)	187			(85,454		)	344			—			(84,923		)
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)	187			(80,541		)	344			(52,569		)	(132,579		)
	As of June 30, 2013	$	(2,606	)	$	53,688		$	(7,288	)	$	163,770		$	207,564
		Gains (losses)			Unrealized			Defined			Foreign			Total
		on cash flow			gains (losses)			benefit			currency items
		hedges			on available-			pension plan
					for-sale			items
					securities
		(In thousands)
	As of January 1, 2014	$	(2,419	)	$	71,742		$	(4,075	)	$	150,892		$	216,140	-2
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax of $93	—			(19,626		)	—			(4,339		)	(23,965		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(1)	187			(3,960		)	151			—			(3,622		)
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)	187			(23,586		)	151			(4,339		)	(27,587		)
	As of June 30, 2014	$	(2,232	)	$	48,156		$	(3,924	)	$	146,553		$	188,553
	(1)     All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
	(2)     Reflects amounts reclassified from foreign currency translation adjustment to retained earnings as discussed in Note 2-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
Schedule of line items that were reclassified to net income	'
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	Line item in consolidated statement of income (loss)	2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Investment income (loss), net of income taxes of $(943), $(2,252), $(943) and $(2,703)	$	4,903		$	12,183		$	4,903		$	88,157
	Interest expense, net of income taxes of $59, $59, $119 and $119	153			153			306			306
	General and administrative expenses, net of income taxes of $47, $108, $95 and $217	123			281			246			562
	Total before tax	$	4,627		$	11,749		$	4,351		$	87,289
	Tax expense (benefit)	837			2,082			729			2,366
	Reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income (loss)	$	3,790		$	9,667		$	3,622		$	84,923

Assets_HeldforSale_and_Discont1

Assets Held-for-Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Assets Held-for-Sale and Discontinued Operations	'
Schedule of assets held for sale	'
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Oil and Gas	$	233,163		$	239,936
	Rig Services	—			3,328
		$	233,163		$	243,264
Schedule of condensed statements of income (loss) from discontinued operations for each operating segment	'
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Operating revenues
	Oil and Gas	$	3,471		$	12,050		$	8,528		$	22,039
	Income (loss) from Oil and Gas discontinued operations:
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	(1,082	)	$	(10,272	)	$	1,536		$	(8,202	)
	Less: Impairment charges or other (gains) and losses on sale of wholly owned assets	409			34,663			1,411			36,663
	Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	(459		)	(10,882		)	(358		)	(11,165		)
	Income (loss) from Oil and Gas discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(1,032	)	$	(34,053	)	$	483		$	(33,700	)

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Information	'
Financial information with respect to operating segments	'
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates: (1)
	Drilling & Rig Services:
	U.S.	$	532,894		$	467,129		$	1,043,370		$	951,902
	Canada	54,861			64,789			166,482			191,656
	International	391,251			351,421			766,320			672,937
	Rig Services (2)	161,740			118,120			305,466			252,351
	Subtotal Drilling & Rig Services (3)	1,140,746			1,001,459			2,281,638			2,068,846
	Completion & Production Services:
	Completion Services	276,639			254,016			504,538			516,154
	Production Services	258,378			244,602			533,778			496,173
	Subtotal Completion & Production Services (4)	535,017			498,618			1,038,316			1,012,327
	Other reconciling items (5)	(59,358		)	(40,751		)	(116,376		)	(83,474		)
	Total	$	1,616,405		$	1,459,326		$	3,203,578		$	2,997,699
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities (1) (6)
	Drilling & Rig Services:
	U.S.	$	89,977		$	69,813		$	162,471		$	147,408
	Canada	225			3,895			26,385			34,413
	International	50,583			32,481			98,702			53,950
	Rig Services (2)	9,059			(5,383		)	17,787			(4,096		)
	Subtotal Drilling & Rig Services (3)	149,844			100,806			305,345			231,675
	Completion & Production Services:
	Completion Services	(581		)	6,870			(34,216		)	24,626
	Production Services	29,889			23,471			60,480			49,485
	Subtotal Completion & Production Services (4)	29,308			30,341			26,264			74,111
	Other reconciling items (5)	(45,692		)	(41,543		)	(89,108		)	(73,044		)
	Total adjusted income (loss)
	derived from operating activities	$	133,460		$	89,604		$	242,501		$	232,742
	Interest expense	(46,303		)	(60,273		)	(91,113		)	(120,284		)
	Investment income (loss)	7,066			14,821			8,046			94,242
	Gains (losses) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other income (expense), net	(16,504		)	(9,242		)	(17,980		)	(68,979		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	77,719			34,910			141,454			137,721
	Income tax expense (benefit)	10,756			6,032			24,764			15,886
	Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	1,234			750			1,984			1,500
	Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	65,729			28,128			114,706			120,335
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,032		)	(26,873		)	483			(19,862		)
	Net income (loss)	64,697			1,255			115,189			100,473
	Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(253		)	(5,616		)	(826		)	(5,713		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	64,444		$	(4,361	)	$	114,363		$	94,760
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Total assets:
	Drilling & Rig Services:
	U.S.	$	4,352,311		$	4,248,630
	Canada	647,313			608,018
	International	3,817,316			3,584,339
	Rig Services	503,222			474,275
	Subtotal Drilling & Rig Services (7)	9,320,162			8,915,262
	Completion & Production Services (8) (9)	2,319,326			2,394,865
	Other reconciling items (5)	796,511			849,684
	Total assets:	$	12,435,999		$	12,159,811
	(1)     All periods present the operating activities of our wholly owned oil and gas businesses, our previously held equity interests in oil and gas joint ventures in Canada and Colombia, aircraft logistics operations and construction services as discontinued operations.
	(2)     Includes our drilling technology and top drive manufacturing, directional drilling, rig instrumentation and software services. These services represent our other companies that are not aggregated into a reportable operating segment.
	(3)     Includes earnings (losses), net from unconsolidated affiliates, accounted for using the equity method, of $(0.8) million and $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and $(3.3) million and $4.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	(4)     Includes earnings (losses), net from unconsolidated affiliates, accounted for using the equity method, of $0.2 million for each of the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and $0.3 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	(5)     Represents the elimination of inter-segment transactions and unallocated corporate expenses and assets.
	(6)     Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities is computed by subtracting the sum of direct costs, general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization from the sum of Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates. These amounts should not be used as a substitute for the amounts reported in accordance with GAAP. However, management evaluates the performance of our business units and the consolidated company based on several criteria, including adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities, because it believes that these financial measures accurately reflect our ongoing profitability. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, which is a GAAP measure, is provided in the above table.
(7)     Includes $51.3 million and $56.9 million of investments in unconsolidated affiliates accounted for using the equity method as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
(8)     Reflects assets allocated to the line of business necessary to conduct its operations. Further allocation to individual operating segments of Completion & Production Services is not available.
(9)     Includes $9.2 million and $7.4 million of investments in unconsolidated affiliates accounted for using the equity method as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	'
		June 30, 2014
								Other
		Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
		(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
		Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
		(In thousands)
		ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,106		$	4		$	409,848		$	—		$	410,958
	Short-term investments	—			—			75,386			—			75,386
	Assets held for sale	—			—			233,163			—			233,163
	Accounts receivable, net	—			—			1,448,511			—			1,448,511
	Inventory	—			—			216,444			—			216,444
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			87,354			—			87,354
	Other current assets	2,024			28,465			308,333			—			338,822
	Total current assets	3,130			28,469			2,779,039			—			2,810,638
	Long-term investments	—			—			2,724			—			2,724
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			32,072			8,800,894			—			8,832,966
	Goodwill	—			—			512,897			—			512,897
	Intercompany receivables	167,610			—			1,614,989			(1,782,599		)	—
	Investment in consolidated affiliates	5,901,195			6,141,915			1,780,798			(13,823,908		)	—
	Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			60,509			—			60,509
	Other long-term assets	—			31,531			184,734			—			216,265
	Total assets	$	6,071,935		$	6,233,987		$	15,736,584		$	(15,606,507	)	$	12,435,999
		LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Current portion of debt	$	—		$	—		$	207		$	—		$	207
	Trade accounts payable	117			2			617,708			—			617,827
	Accrued liabilities	392			63,888			610,561			—			674,841
	Income taxes payable	—			—			26,711			—			26,711
	Total current liabilities	509			63,890			1,255,187			—			1,319,586
	Long-term debt	—			3,956,269			21			—			3,956,290
	Other long-term liabilities	—			30,061			566,469			—			596,530
	Deferred income taxes	—			(255,590		)	737,261			—			481,671
	Intercompany payable	—			1,782,599			—			(1,782,599		)	—
	Total liabilities	509			5,577,229			2,558,938			(1,782,599		)	6,354,077
	Subsidiary preferred stock	—			—			—			—			—
	Shareholders’ equity	6,071,426			656,758			13,167,150			(13,823,908		)	6,071,426
	Noncontrolling interest	—			—			10,496			—			10,496
	Total equity	6,071,426			656,758			13,177,646			(13,823,908		)	6,081,922
	Total liabilities and equity	$	6,071,935		$	6,233,987		$	15,736,584		$	(15,606,507	)	$	12,435,999
		December 31, 2013
								Other
		Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
		(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
		Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
		(In thousands)
		ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash	$	730		$	7,029		$	382,156		$	—		$	389,915
	Short-term investments	—			—			117,218			—			117,218
	Assets held for sale	—			—			243,264			—			243,264
	Accounts receivable, net	27			—			1,399,516			—			1,399,543
	Inventory	—			—			209,793			—			209,793
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			121,316			—			121,316
	Other current assets	50			26,378			246,353			—			272,781
	Total current assets	807			33,407			2,719,616			—			2,753,830
	Long-term investments	—			—			3,236			—			3,236
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			33,815			8,563,998			—			8,597,813
	Goodwill	—			—			512,964			—			512,964
	Intercompany receivables	160,136			3,891			1,583,539			(1,747,566		)	—
	Investment in consolidated affiliates	5,808,607			6,097,337			1,789,851			(13,695,795		)	—
	Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			64,260			—			64,260
Other long-term assets	—			34,487			193,221			—			227,708
Total assets	$	5,969,550		$	6,202,937		$	15,430,685		$	(15,443,361	)	$	12,159,811
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current debt	$	—		$	—		$	10,185		$	—		$	10,185
Trade accounts payable	86			25			545,401			—			545,512
Accrued liabilities	378			65,947			630,768			—			697,093
Income taxes payable	—			—			58,634			—			58,634
Total current liabilities	464			65,972			1,244,988			—			1,311,424
Long-term debt	—			3,904,059			58			—			3,904,117
Other long-term liabilities	—			31,071			346,673			—			377,744
Deferred income taxes	—			(213,233		)	729,394			—			516,161
Intercompany payable	—			1,747,566			—			(1,747,566		)	—
Total liabilities	464			5,535,435			2,321,113			(1,747,566		)	6,109,446
Subsidiary preferred stock	—			—			69,188			—			69,188
Shareholders’ equity	5,969,086			667,502			13,028,293			(13,695,795		)	5,969,086
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			12,091			—			12,091
Total equity	5,969,086			667,502			13,040,384			(13,695,795		)	5,981,177
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,969,550		$	6,202,937		$	15,430,685		$	(15,443,361	)	$	12,159,811
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income (Loss)	'
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
								Other
		Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
		(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
		Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
		(In thousands)
	Revenues and other income:
	Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	1,616,981		$	—		$	1,616,981
	Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			(576		)	—			(576		)
	Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	67,009			53,368			21,844			(142,221		)	—
	Investment income (loss)	—			146			8,056			(1,136		)	7,066
	Intercompany Interest income	—			—			—			—			—
	Total revenues and other income	67,009			53,514			1,646,305			(143,357		)	1,623,471
	Costs and other deductions:
	Direct costs	—			—			1,066,495			—			1,066,495
	General and administrative expenses	2,439			(31		)	131,351			(129		)	133,630
	Depreciation and amortization	—			902			281,918			—			282,820
	Interest expense	—			49,313			(3,010		)	—			46,303
	Intercompany interest expense	(3		)	—			3			—			—
	Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	129			—			16,246			129			16,504
	Other	—			—			—			—			—
	Total costs and other deductions	2,565			50,184			1,493,003			—			1,545,752
	Income from continuing operations before income tax	64,444			3,330			153,302			(143,357		)	77,719
	Income tax expense (benefit)	—			(18,514		)	29,270			—			10,756
	Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	—			—			1,234			—			1,234
	Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	64,444			21,844			122,798			(143,357		)	65,729
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			(1,032		)	—			(1,032		)
	Net income (loss)	64,444			21,844			121,766			(143,357		)	64,697
	Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(253		)	—			(253		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	64,444		$	21,844		$	121,513		$	(143,357	)	$	64,444
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
								Other
		Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
		(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
		Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
		(In thousands)
	Revenues and other income:
	Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	1,491,586		$	—		$	1,491,586
	Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			1,360			—			1,360
	Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	(1,005		)	13,700			(26,331		)	13,636			—
	Investment income (loss)	1			36			17,057			(2,273		)	14,821
	Intercompany Interest income	—			32			—			(32		)	—
	Total revenues and other income	(1,004		)	13,768			1,483,672			11,331			1,507,767
	Costs and other deductions:
	Direct costs	—			—			999,192			—			999,192
	General and administrative expenses	3,221			390			129,137			(136		)	132,612
	Depreciation and amortization	—			903			269,296			—			270,199
	Interest expense	—			62,405			(2,134		)	—			60,271
	Intercompany interest expense	—			—			32			(32		)	—
	Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	136			(89		)	9,129			136			9,312
	Other	—			—			—			—			—
	Total costs and other deductions	3,357			63,609			1,404,652			(32		)	1,471,586
	Income from continuing operations before income tax	(4,361		)	(49,841		)	79,020			11,363			36,181
	Income tax expense (benefit)	—			(23,510		)	29,682			—			6,172
	Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	—			—			750			—			750
	Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(4,361		)	(26,331		)	48,588			11,363			29,259
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			(28,004		)	—			(28,004		)
	Net income (loss)	(4,361		)	(26,331		)	20,584			11,363			1,255
	Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(5,616		)	—			(5,616		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	(4,361	)	$	(26,331	)	$	14,968		$	11,363		$	(4,361	)
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
								Other
		Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	3,206,599		$	—		$	3,206,599
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			(3,021		)	—			(3,021		)
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	119,592			44,608			(18,245		)	(145,955		)	—
Investment income (loss)	—			146			10,172			(2,272		)	8,046
Intercompany Interest income	—			—			—			—			—
Total revenues and other income	119,592			44,754			3,195,505			(148,227		)	3,211,624
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	—			—			2,128,234			—			2,128,234
General and administrative expenses	4,892			(350		)	263,632			(278		)	267,896
Depreciation and amortization	—			1,804			563,143			—			564,947
Interest expense	—			98,682			(7,569		)	—			91,113
Intercompany interest expense	59			—			(59		)	—			—
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	278			(223		)	17,647			278			17,980
Other	—			—			—			—			—
Total costs and other deductions	5,229			99,913			2,965,028			—			3,070,170
Income from continuing operations before income tax	114,363			(55,159		)	230,477			(148,227		)	141,454
Income tax expense (benefit)	—			(36,914		)	61,678			—			24,764
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	—			—			1,984			—			1,984
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	114,363			(18,245		)	166,815			(148,227		)	114,706
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			483			—			483
Net income (loss)	114,363			(18,245		)	167,298			(148,227		)	115,189
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(826		)	—			(826		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	114,363		$	(18,245	)	$	166,472		$	(148,227	)	$	114,363
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
							Other
	Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Revenues and other income:
Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	3,070,231		$	—		$	3,070,231
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			4,255			—			4,255
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	106,868			56,020			(24,308		)	(138,580		)	—
Investment income (loss)	1			52			96,462			(2,273		)	94,242
Intercompany Interest income	—			61			—			(61		)	—
Total revenues and other income	106,869			56,133			3,146,640			(140,914		)	3,168,728
Costs and other deductions:
Direct costs	—			—			2,025,234			—			2,025,234
General and administrative expenses	5,055			427			259,955			(280		)	265,157
Depreciation and amortization	—			1,805			541,759			—			543,564
Interest expense	—			125,454			(5,175		)	—			120,279
Intercompany interest expense	—			—			61			(61		)	—
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	7,054			(68		)	61,853			280			69,119
Other	—			—			—			—			—
Total costs and other deductions	12,109			127,618			2,883,687			(61		)	3,023,353
Income from continuing operations before income tax	94,760			(71,485		)	262,953			(140,853		)	145,375
Income tax expense (benefit)	—			(47,177		)	64,621			—			17,444
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	—			—			1,500			—			1,500
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	94,760			(24,308		)	196,832			(140,853		)	126,431
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			(25,958		)	—			(25,958		)
Net income (loss)	94,760			(24,308		)	170,874			(140,853		)	100,473
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(5,713		)	—			(5,713		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	94,760		$	(24,308	)	$	165,161		$	(140,853	)	$	94,760
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
								Other
		Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
		(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
		Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
		(In thousands)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	64,444		$	21,844		$	121,513		$	(143,357	)	$	64,444
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
	Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	32,255			1,937			32,458			(34,395		)	32,255
	Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
	Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(325		)	243			(82		)	(161		)	(325		)
	Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on marketable securities	(4,903		)	(506		)	(5,409		)	5,915			(4,903		)
	Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(5,228		)	(263		)	(5,491		)	5,754			(5,228		)
	Pension liability amortization and adjustment	123			123			246			(369		)	123
	Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153			153			153			(306		)	153
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	27,303			1,950			27,366			(29,316		)	27,303
	Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(784		)	(784		)	(1,863		)	2,647			(784		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	28,087			2,734			29,229			(31,963		)	28,087
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	92,531			24,578			150,742			(175,320		)	92,531
	Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			253			—			253
	Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest	—			—			379			—			379
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			632			—			632
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	92,531		$	24,578		$	151,374		$	(175,320	)	$	93,163
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
								Other
		Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
		(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
		Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
		(In thousands)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	(4,361	)	$	(26,331	)	$	14,968		$	11,363		$	(4,361	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
	Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(29,304		)	(94		)	(29,398		)	29,492			(29,304		)
	Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
	Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(5,137		)	48			(5,089		)	5,041			(5,137		)
	Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on marketable securities	(12,183		)	(5,928		)	(18,111		)	24,039			(12,183		)
	Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(17,320		)	(5,880		)	(23,200		)	29,080			(17,320		)
	Pension liability amortization and adjustment	281			281			562			(843		)	281
	Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153			153			153			(306		)	153
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	(46,190		)	(5,540		)	(51,883		)	57,423			(46,190		)
	Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,063		)	(2,063		)	(4,185		)	6,248			(2,063		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(44,127		)	(3,477		)	(47,698		)	51,175			(44,127		)
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(48,488		)	(29,808		)	(32,730		)	62,538			(48,488		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			5,616			—			5,616
	Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest	—			—			613			—			613
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			6,229			—			6,229
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(48,488	)	$	(29,808	)	$	(26,501	)	$	62,538		$	(42,259	)
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
								Other
		Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
		(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
		Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
		(In thousands)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	114,363		$	(18,245	)	$	166,472		$	(148,227	)	$	114,363
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
	Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(4,339		)	1,721			(4,355		)	2,634			(4,339		)
	Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
	Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(19,533		)	243			(19,290		)	19,047			(19,533		)
	Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on marketable securities	(4,903		)	(506		)	(5,409		)	5,915			(4,903		)
	Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(24,436		)	(263		)	(24,699		)	24,962			(24,436		)
	Pension liability amortization and adjustment	246			246			492			(738		)	246
	Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	306			306			306			(612		)	306
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	(28,223		)	2,010			(28,256		)	26,246			(28,223		)
	Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(636		)	(636		)	(1,627		)	2,263			(636		)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(27,587		)	2,646			(26,629		)	23,983			(27,587		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	86,776			(15,599		)	139,843			(124,244		)	86,776
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			826			—			826
Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(102		)	—			(102		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			724			—			724
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	86,776		$	(15,599	)	$	140,567		$	(124,244	)	$	87,500
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
							Other
	Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
	(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
	Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
	(In thousands)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$	94,760		$	(24,308	)	$	165,161		$	(140,853	)	$	94,760
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(52,569		)	(146		)	(52,715		)	52,861			(52,569		)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	5,002			233			5,235			(5,468		)	5,002
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on marketable securities	(88,157		)	(7,114		)	(95,271		)	102,385			(88,157		)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	(83,155		)	(6,881		)	(90,036		)	96,917			(83,155		)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	562			562			1,124			(1,686		)	562
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	306			306			306			(612		)	306
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	(134,856		)	(6,159		)	(141,321		)	147,480			(134,856		)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,277		)	(2,277		)	(4,672		)	6,949			(2,277		)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(132,579		)	(3,882		)	(136,649		)	140,531			(132,579		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(37,819		)	(28,190		)	28,512			(322		)	(37,819		)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			5,713			—			5,713
Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(801		)	—			(801		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			4,912			—			4,912
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(37,819	)	$	(28,190	)	$	33,424		$	(322	)	$	(32,907	)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	'
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
								Other
		Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
		(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
		Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
		(In thousands)
	Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	$	(11,728	)	$	(62,435	)	$	906,048		$	14,152		$	846,037
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchase of investments	—			—			(266		)	—			(266		)
	Sales and maturities of investments	—			—			23,238			—			23,238
	Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	—			—			(10,200		)	—			(10,200		)
	Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			(1,612		)	—			(1,612		)
	Capital expenditures	—			—			(862,680		)	—			(862,680		)
	Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	—			—			69,343			—			69,343
	Proceeds from sales of unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			—			—			—
	Other	—			—			(761		)	—			(761		)
	Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates	—			—			—			—			—
	Changes in intercompany balances	—			4,182			(4,182		)	—			—
	Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	—			4,182			787,120			—			(782,905		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	—			—			(3,382		)	—			(3,382		)
	Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	29,048			—			(1		)	—			29,047
	Dividends to shareholders	(26,064		)	—			—			2,272			(23,792		)
	Proceeds from (payments for) commercial paper, net	—			111,228			—			—			111,228
	Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	—			—			—			—			—
	Proceeds from parent contributions	—			—			—			—			—
	Debt issuance costs	—			—			—			—			—
	Proceeds from debt	—			—			15,000			—			15,000
	Reduction in revolving credit facilities	—			—			—			—			—
	Reduction in long-term debt	—			(60,000		)	(15,000		)	—			(75,000		)
	Reduction in short-term debt	—			—			(10,000		)	—			(10,000		)
	Redemption of subsidiary Preferred Shares	—			—			(70,875		)	—			(70,875		)
	Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of parent common shares to affiliates	16,424			—			—			(16,424		)	—
	Other	(7,304		)	—			—			—			(7,304		)
	Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	12,104			51,228			(84,258		)	(14,152		)	(35,078		)
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(6,978		)	—			(6,978		)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	376			(7,025		)	27,692			—			21,043
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	730			7,029			382,156			—			389,915
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	1,106		$	4		$	409,848		$	—		$	410,958
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
								Other
		Nabors			Nabors			Subsidiaries
		(Parent/			Delaware			(Non-			Consolidating
		Guarantor)			(Issuer)			Guarantors)			Adjustments			Total
		(In thousands)
	Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	$	(4,554	)	$	(147,280	)	$	787,443		$	29,799		$	665,408
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchase of investments	—			—			—			—			—
	Sales and maturities of investments	—			—			163,161			—			163,161
	Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	—			—			(37,516		)	—			(37,516		)
	Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			(3,927		)	—			(3,927		)
	Capital expenditures	—			—			(500,368		)	—			(500,368		)
	Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	—			—			29,731			—			29,731
	Proceeds from sales of unconsolidated affiliates	—			—			10,000			—			10,000
	Other	—			—			(3,142		)	—			(3,142		)
	Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates	—			(626,000		)	(1,252,000		)	1,878,000			—
	Changes in intercompany balances	—			348,367			(348,367		)	—			—
	Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	—			(277,633		)	(1,942,428		)	1,878,000			(342,061		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	—			—			(8,686		)	—			(8,686		)
	Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	3,200			—			—			—			3,200
	Dividends to shareholders	(25,825		)	—			—			2,273			(23,552		)
	Proceeds from (payments for) commercial paper, net	—			295,000			—			—			295,000
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	—			—			—			—			—
Proceeds from parent contributions	—			626,000			1,252,000			(1,878,000		)	—
Debt issuance costs	—			(87		)	—			—			(87		)
Proceeds from debt	—			—			11,569			—			11,569
Reduction in revolving credit facilities	—			(590,000		)	—			—			(590,000		)
Reduction in long-term debt	—			—			(17,853		)	—			(17,853		)
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of parent common shares to affiliates	32,072			—			—			(32,072		)	—
Other	(3,023		)	—			—			—			(3,023		)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	6,424			330,913			1,237,030			(1,907,799		)	(333,432		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(6,709		)	—			(6,709		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,870			(94,000		)	75,336			—			(16,794		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,639			106,778			416,505			—			524,922
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	3,509		$	12,778		$	491,841		$	—		$	508,128

Nature_of_Operations_Details

Nature of Operations (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
	item
	rig
Nature of Operations	'
Number of major business lines	2
Number of platform rigs actively marketed	36
Number of jack-up rigs actively marketed	7
Number of barge rigs actively marketed	1
Number of hydraulic horsepower pressure pumping services in key basins throughout United States and Canada	800,000
Nature of operations	'
Number of actively marketed land drilling rigs	496
Minimum number of countries in which oil and gas land drilling operations are conducted	26
C&J Energy Services Ltd	'
Nature of Operations	'
Ownership percentage	53.00%
Joint Venture in Saudi Arabia	'
Nature of Operations	'
Ownership percentage	51.00%
Number of rigs actively markets in joint venture	5
U.S.	'
Nature of Operations	'
Number of rigs marketing for land well-servicing and workover service	446
Canada	'
Nature of Operations	'
Number of rigs marketing for land well-servicing and workover service	98

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Retained earnings	$4,393,547,000	$4,304,664,000
Adjustment of opening balance | Revision of CTA	'	'
Retained earnings	91,500,000	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	$91,500,000	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory	'	'
Raw materials	$139,090	$128,606
Work-in-progress	38,537	26,762
Finished goods	38,817	54,425
Total inventory	$216,444	$209,793
Goodwill	'	'
Long-term growth rate used to calculate terminal values for each reporting unit (as a percent)	3.00%	'

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_and_2

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, fair value	$410,958	$389,915
Available-for-sale debt securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale debt securities, fair value	75,386	117,218
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding gains	48,041	72,530
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding losses	-1	-56
Total short-term investments	75,386	117,218
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, fair value	486,344	507,133
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, gross unrealized gains	48,041	72,530
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, gross unrealized losses	-1	-56
Available-for-sale equity securities	'	'
Available-for-sale equities securities	'	'
Available-for-sale equity securities, fair value	75,366	96,942
Available-for-sale debt securities:	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding gains	48,041	68,395
Available-for-sale debt securities	'	'
Available-for-sale debt securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale debt securities, fair value	20	20,276
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding gains	'	4,135
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding losses	-1	-56
Corporate debt securities	'	'
Available-for-sale debt securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale debt securities, fair value	'	19,388
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding gains	'	4,122
Mortgage-backed debt securities	'	'
Available-for-sale debt securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale debt securities, fair value	'	210
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding gains	'	11
Mortgage-CMO debt securities	'	'
Available-for-sale debt securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale debt securities, fair value	20	20
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding losses	-1	-2
Asset-backed debt securities	'	'
Available-for-sale debt securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale debt securities, fair value	'	658
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding gains	'	2
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding losses	'	-54
Total Short-term investments	'	'
Available-for-sale debt securities:	'	'
Total short-term investments	75,386	117,218
Total short-term investments, gross unrealized gains	48,041	72,530
Total short-term investments, gross unrealized holding losses	($1)	($56)

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_and_3

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments (Details 2) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Gross unrealized losses of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments	'
Available-for-sale securities, more than 12 months	$20
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	1
Available-for-sale debt securities	'
Gross unrealized losses of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments	'
Available-for-sale securities, more than 12 months	20
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	1
Mortgage-CMO debt securities	'
Gross unrealized losses of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments	'
Available-for-sale securities, more than 12 months	20
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$1

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_and_4

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments (Details 3) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt securities:	'
Due in more than five years	$20
Total debt securities	$20

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_and_5

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from sales and maturities	$22,178	$20,352	$22,313	$106,953
Realized gains (losses), net	$4,903	$12,183	$4,903	$88,157

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Measurements	'	'
Amount of transfers of financial assets between Level 1 and Level 2 measures	$0	'
Available-for-sale equity securities	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Short term investments:	75,366	96,942
Recurring	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total short-term investments	75,386	'
Recurring | Available-for-sale equity securities	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Short term investments:	75,366	'
Recurring | Mortgage-CMO debt securities	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Short term investments:	20	'
Recurring | Level 1	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total short-term investments	74,504	'
Recurring | Level 1 | Available-for-sale equity securities	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Short term investments:	74,504	'
Recurring | Level 2	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total short-term investments	882	'
Recurring | Level 2 | Available-for-sale equity securities	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Short term investments:	862	'
Recurring | Level 2 | Mortgage-CMO debt securities	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Short term investments:	$20	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'	'
Carrying Value	$3,956,497	$3,983,490
Fair Value	4,385,345	4,251,473
Subsidiary preferred stock, carrying value	'	69,188
Subsidiary preferred stock, fair value	'	69,000
2.35% senior notes due September 2016	'	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'	'
Carrying Value	349,853	349,820
Fair Value	358,596	354,694
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)	2.35%	'
6.15% senior notes due February 2018	'	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'	'
Carrying Value	970,541	969,928
Fair Value	1,113,255	1,097,480
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)	6.15%	'
9.25% senior notes due January 2019	'	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'	'
Carrying Value	339,607	339,607
Fair Value	434,405	428,733
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)	9.25%	'
5.00% senior notes due September 2020	'	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'	'
Carrying Value	698,100	697,947
Fair Value	785,883	731,955
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)	5.00%	'
4.625% senior notes due September 2021	'	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'	'
Carrying Value	698,268	698,148
Fair Value	756,623	709,793
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)	4.63%	'
5.10% senior notes due September 2023	'	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'	'
Carrying Value	348,829	348,765
Fair Value	385,284	349,731
Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)	5.10%	'
Revolving Credit Facility	'	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'	'
Carrying Value	110,000	170,000
Fair Value	110,000	170,000
Commercial paper	'	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'	'
Carrying Value	441,072	329,844
Fair Value	441,072	329,844
Other	'	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'	'
Carrying Value	227	10,243
Fair Value	$227	$10,243

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail

Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based compensation disclosures	'	'	'	'	'
Share Based Compensation expense	$8,600,000	$6,000,000	$19,300,000	$38,800,000	'
Liability related to awards	153,783,000	'	153,783,000	'	172,803,000
Restricted Stock Award | Employees and Director	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation disclosures	'	'	'	'	'
Shares awarded during period	'	'	1,143,002	4,334,581	'
Aggregate value of restricted stock awards at date of grant	26,100,000	71,100,000	26,100,000	71,100,000	'
Fair value awards vested	'	'	25,300,000	36,300,000	'
Restricted Stock Award | Maximum | Employees and Director	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation disclosures	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period of shares	'	'	'4 years	'	'
Restricted Stock Based on Performance Conditions | Executives	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation disclosures	'	'	'	'	'
Shares awarded during period	'	'	362,311	'	'
Vesting period of shares	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Liability related to awards	1,000,000	'	1,000,000	'	'
Restricted Stock Based on Market Conditions	'	'	'	'	'
Assumptions used to value grant date fair value	'	'	'	'	'
Risk free interest rate (as a percent)	'	'	0.80%	0.41%	'
Expected volatility (as a percent)	'	'	40.00%	46.00%	'
Closing stock price (in dollars per share)	$18.19	$16.53	$18.19	$16.53	'
Expected term (in years)	'	'	'2 years 11 months 19 days	'2 years 9 months 25 days	'
Restricted Stock Based on Market Conditions | Executives	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation disclosures	'	'	'	'	'
Shares awarded during period	'	'	395,550	353,933	'
Vesting period of shares	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Aggregate value of restricted stock awards at date of grant	4,500,000	3,700,000	4,500,000	3,700,000	'
Stock options | Employees and Director	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation disclosures	'	'	'	'	'
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	'	'	46,900,000	2,400,000	'
Total fair value of option vested during the period	'	'	$1,500,000	$3,900,000	'

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

2.35% senior notes due September 2016

2.35% senior notes due September 2016

6.15% senior notes due February 2018

6.15% senior notes due February 2018

9.25% senior notes due January 2019

9.25% senior notes due January 2019

5.00% senior notes due September 2020

5.00% senior notes due September 2020

4.625% senior notes due September 2021

4.625% senior notes due September 2021

5.10% senior notes due September 2023

5.10% senior notes due September 2023

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Commercial paper

Commercial paper

Minimum

Long-term debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes

'

'

$349,853,000

$349,820,000

$970,541,000

$969,928,000

$339,607,000

$339,607,000

$698,100,000

$697,947,000

$698,268,000

$698,148,000

$348,829,000

$348,765,000

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

110,000,000

170,000,000

'

'

'

Other

227,000

10,243,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

3,956,497,000

3,914,302,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less: Current portion

207,000

10,185,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt

3,956,290,000

3,904,117,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

441,072,000

329,844,000

Interest rate on senior notes due (as a percent)

'

'

2.35%

'

6.15%

'

9.25%

'

5.00%

'

4.63%

'

5.10%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate amount of senior notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$441,100,000

'

Weighted average interest rate on revolving credit facilities (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.45%

'

'

0.33%

'

Remaining period to maturity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

Common_Shares_Details

Common Shares (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Common shares	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common shares for stock options exercised (in shares)	'	'	2.9	0.3
Proceeds from stock options exercised	'	'	$29,000,000	$3,200,000
Common shares withheld by company	'	'	0.3	0.2
Common shares fair value	'	'	7,300,000	3,000,000
Common stock dividend declared (in dollars per share)	$0.04	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid	'	$11,900,000	$23,792,000	$23,552,000

Subsidiary_Preferred_Stock_Det

Subsidiary Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
Subsidiary Preferred Stock	'	'
Cash paid for redemption of preferred stock	$70,900	$70,875
Loss on redemption of preferred stock	1,688	1,688
Series A Preferred Stock	'	'
Subsidiary preferred stock	'	'
Subsidiary preferred stock, shares outstanding	75,000	75,000
Accrued dividends paid	'	108,750
Regular dividends paid	'	750,000
Special dividends paid	'	$375,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Mexico	Mexico	Mexico
			Minimum	Maximum
Income tax	'	'	'	'
Aggregate remaining amounts assessed or expected to assessed range	'	'	$30	$35
Reduction in reserves	'	20	'	'
Self-Insurance disclosures	'	'	'	'
Employer's liability claims subject to per-occurrence deductible	3	'	'	'
Workers automobile claims	2.5	'	'	'
General liability claims subject to per-occurrence deductible	5	'	'	'
Deductions in land rigs and for offshore rigs	$5	'	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2009	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2006	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 19, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014
	Court of Ouargla Customs Infringement	Court of Ouargla Customs Infringement	Court of Ouargla Customs Infringement	Court of Ouargla Foreign Currency Controls	Court of Ouargla Foreign Currency Controls	Court of Ouargla Foreign Currency Controls	Court of Ouargla Foreign Currency Controls	NGH2L	NGH2L
			Maximum				Maximum		Maximum
Commitments and Contingencies, Disclosure	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Judgment against the reporting entity at current exchange rate	'	$17.70	'	'	$34.80	'	'	'	'
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	'
Monetary damages sought based on alleged breach of contract by NGH2L and alleged tortious interference with contractual relations by Parex	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$750

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 3) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of total maximum amount of financial guarantees issued	'
Remainder of 2014	$71,297
2015	120,139
2016	75
Total	$191,511

Earnings_Losses_Per_Share_Deta

Earnings (Losses) Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net income (loss) (numerator):	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	$65,729	$28,128	$114,706	$120,335
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	-253	-5,616	-826	-5,713
Less: loss on redemption of subsidiary preferred stock	-1,688	'	-1,688	'
Less: (earnings) losses allocated to unvested shareholders	-974	-814	-1,707	'
Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations - basic and diluted	62,814	21,698	110,485	114,622
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	($1,032)	($26,873)	$483	($19,862)
Earnings (losses) per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.08	$0.37	$0.41
Basic from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	'	($0.09)	'	($0.09)
Total Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.21	($0.01)	$0.37	$0.32
Diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.08	$0.37	$0.41
Diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	'	($0.09)	'	($0.09)
Total Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.21	($0.01)	$0.37	$0.32
Shares (denominator):	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	297,984	294,747	297,097	293,217
Net effect of dilutive stock options, warrants and restricted stock awards based on the if-converted method (in shares)	2,997	2,372	2,919	2,427
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	300,981	297,119	300,016	295,644

Earnings_Losses_Per_Share_Deta1

Earnings (Losses) Per Share (Details 2)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Debt	'	'	'	'
Average number of options and warrants excluded from diluted earnings (losses) per share (in shares)	5,782,273	11,578,175	6,817,891	12,015,219

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Inc2

Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued liabilities	'	'
Accrued compensation	$153,783	$172,803
Deferred revenue	285,329	202,918
Other taxes payable	45,067	76,781
Workers' compensation liabilities	29,459	29,459
Interest payable	64,232	64,728
Warranty accrual	4,448	4,653
Litigation reserves	22,781	30,784
Current liability to discontinued operations	28,824	64,404
Professional fees	2,703	2,971
Current deferred tax liability	3,075	3,075
Current liability to acquisition of KVS	22,033	22,033
Other accrued liabilities	13,107	22,484
Accrued liabilities	$674,841	$697,093

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Inc3

Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Investment income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Interest and dividend income	$2,028	$2,342	$2,998	$3,118
Gains (losses) on investments, net	5,038	12,479	5,048	91,124
Investment income (loss)	$7,066	$14,821	$8,046	$94,242

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Inc4

Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information (Details 3) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information	'	'
Realized gains from the sale of available-for-sale securities	$5	$88.70
Net unrealized gains (loss) from trading securities	'	$2.40

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Inc5

Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information	'	'	'	'
Losses (gains) on sales, disposals and involuntary conversions of long-lived assets	$11,114	$1,934	$13,546	$5,344
Termination of employment contract	'	'	'	45,000
Litigation expenses	567	-502	3,627	5,659
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	4,336	2,990	1,043	7,307
Other losses (gains)	487	4,820	-236	5,669
Losses (gains) on sales and retirements of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	16,504	9,242	17,980	68,979
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	216,140	340,143
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	'	'	-23,965	-47,656
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, tax portion	'	'	93	70
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	-3,622	-84,923
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	28,087	-44,127	-27,587	-132,579
Balance at the end of the period	188,552	207,564	188,552	207,564
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	-2,419	-2,793
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	187	187
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	187	187
Balance at the end of the period	-2,232	-2,606	-2,232	-2,606
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	71,742	134,229
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	'	'	-19,626	4,913
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	-3,960	-85,454
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	-23,586	-80,541
Balance at the end of the period	48,156	53,688	48,156	53,688
Defined benefit pension plan items	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	-4,075	-7,632
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	151	344
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	151	344
Balance at the end of the period	-3,924	-7,288	-3,924	-7,288
Foreign currency items	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	150,892	216,339
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	'	'	-4,339	-52,569
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	-4,339	-52,569
Balance at the end of the period	$146,553	$163,770	$146,553	$163,770

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Inc6

Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information (Details 5) (Petrello, USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Employment agreement	'
Value of incentives in the form of one-time stock grant	$18
Common stock	'
Employment agreement	'
Value of incentives in the form of one-time stock grant	$27

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Inc7

Supplemental Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Information (Details 6) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities that were reclassified from net income	'	'	'	'
Investment income (loss)	$7,066	$14,821	$8,046	$94,242
Interest expense	46,303	60,273	91,113	120,284
General and administrative expenses	133,630	131,202	267,896	262,080
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	77,719	34,910	141,454	137,721
Tax expense (benefit)	10,756	6,032	24,764	15,886
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	64,444	-4,361	114,363	94,760
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities | Reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses included in net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities that were reclassified from net income	'	'	'	'
Investment income (loss)	4,903	12,183	4,903	88,157
Investment income (loss), income taxes	-943	-2,252	-943	-2,703
Interest expense	153	153	306	306
Interest expense, income taxes	59	59	119	119
General and administrative expenses	123	281	246	562
General and administrative expenses, income taxes	47	108	95	217
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	4,627	11,749	4,351	87,289
Tax expense (benefit)	837	2,082	729	2,366
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$3,790	$9,667	$3,622	$84,923

Assets_HeldforSale_and_Discont2

Assets Held-for-Sale and Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets held-for-sale	'	'
Assets held for sale	$233,163	$243,264
Oil and gas	'	'
Assets held-for-sale	'	'
Assets held for sale	233,163	239,936
Rig Services	'	'
Assets held-for-sale	'	'
Assets held for sale	'	$3,328

Assets_HeldforSale_and_Discont3

Assets Held-for-Sale and Discontinued Operations (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	'
Undiscounted contractual commitments	$139,200,000	'	$139,200,000	'	'
Liability related to discontinue operation	63,100,000	'	63,100,000	'	113,600,000
Current liability to discontinued operations	28,824,000	'	28,824,000	'	64,404,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	-1,032,000	-26,873,000	483,000	-19,862,000	'
Oil and gas	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	3,471,000	12,050,000	8,528,000	22,039,000	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	-1,082,000	-10,272,000	1,536,000	-8,202,000	'
Less: Impairment charges or other (gains) and losses on sale of wholly owned assets	409,000	34,663,000	1,411,000	36,663,000	'
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	-459,000	-10,882,000	-358,000	-11,165,000	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	-1,032,000	-34,053,000	483,000	-33,700,000	'
Rig Services	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	'	34,600,000	'	81,800,000	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	$7,200,000	'	$13,800,000	'

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	$1,616,405,000	$1,459,326,000	$3,203,578,000	$2,997,699,000	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	'	'	'	'	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	133,460,000	89,604,000	242,501,000	232,742,000	'
Interest expense	-46,303,000	-60,273,000	-91,113,000	-120,284,000	'
Investment income (loss)	7,066,000	14,821,000	8,046,000	94,242,000	'
Gains (losses) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other income (expense), net	-16,504,000	-9,242,000	-17,980,000	-68,979,000	'
Impairments and other charges	'	'	'	-45,000,000	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	77,719,000	34,910,000	141,454,000	137,721,000	'
Income tax expense (benefit)	10,756,000	6,032,000	24,764,000	15,886,000	'
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	1,234,000	750,000	1,984,000	1,500,000	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	65,729,000	28,128,000	114,706,000	120,335,000	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	-1,032,000	-26,873,000	483,000	-19,862,000	'
Net income (loss)	64,697,000	1,255,000	115,189,000	100,473,000	'
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	-253,000	-5,616,000	-826,000	-5,713,000	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	64,444,000	-4,361,000	114,363,000	94,760,000	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	12,435,999,000	'	12,435,999,000	'	12,159,811,000
Equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates, net	'	'	-3,021,000	3,891,000	'
Operating segment | Drilling and Rig Services	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	1,140,746,000	1,001,459,000	2,281,638,000	2,068,846,000	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	'	'	'	'	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	149,844,000	100,806,000	305,345,000	231,675,000	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	9,320,162,000	'	9,320,162,000	'	8,915,262,000
Equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates, net	-800,000	1,200,000	-3,300,000	4,000,000	'
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates accounted for using equity method	51,300,000	'	51,300,000	'	56,900,000
Operating segment | Drilling and Rig Services | Reportable subsegments | U.S.	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	532,894,000	467,129,000	1,043,370,000	951,902,000	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	'	'	'	'	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	89,977,000	69,813,000	162,471,000	147,408,000	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	4,352,311,000	'	4,352,311,000	'	4,248,630,000
Operating segment | Drilling and Rig Services | Reportable subsegments | Canada	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	54,861,000	64,789,000	166,482,000	191,656,000	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	'	'	'	'	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	225,000	3,895,000	26,385,000	34,413,000	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	647,313,000	'	647,313,000	'	608,018,000
Operating segment | Drilling and Rig Services | Reportable subsegments | International	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	391,251,000	351,421,000	766,320,000	672,937,000	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	'	'	'	'	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	50,583,000	32,481,000	98,702,000	53,950,000	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	3,817,316,000	'	3,817,316,000	'	3,584,339,000
Operating segment | Drilling and Rig Services | Reportable subsegments | Rig Services	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	161,740,000	118,120,000	305,466,000	252,351,000	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	'	'	'	'	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	9,059,000	-5,383,000	17,787,000	-4,096,000	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	503,222,000	'	503,222,000	'	474,275,000
Operating segment | Completion and Production Services	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	535,017,000	498,618,000	1,038,316,000	1,012,327,000	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	'	'	'	'	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	29,308,000	30,341,000	26,264,000	74,111,000	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	2,319,326,000	'	2,319,326,000	'	2,394,865,000
Equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates, net	200,000	200,000	300,000	300,000	'
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates accounted for using equity method	9,200,000	'	9,200,000	'	7,400,000
Operating segment | Completion and Production Services | Reportable subsegments | Completion Services	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	276,639,000	254,016,000	504,538,000	516,154,000	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	'	'	'	'	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	-581,000	6,870,000	-34,216,000	24,626,000	'
Operating segment | Completion and Production Services | Reportable subsegments | Production Services	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	258,378,000	244,602,000	533,778,000	496,173,000	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	'	'	'	'	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	29,889,000	23,471,000	60,480,000	49,485,000	'
Other reconciling items	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues and Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates:	-59,358,000	-40,751,000	-116,376,000	-83,474,000	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	'	'	'	'	'
Adjusted income (loss) derived from operating activities	-45,692,000	-41,543,000	-89,108,000	-73,044,000	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	$796,511,000	'	$796,511,000	'	$849,684,000

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$410,958,000	$389,915,000	$508,128,000	$524,922,000
Short-term investments	75,386,000	117,218,000	'	'
Assets held for sale	233,163,000	243,264,000	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	1,448,511,000	1,399,543,000	'	'
Inventory	216,444,000	209,793,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	87,354,000	121,316,000	'	'
Other current assets	338,822,000	272,781,000	'	'
Total current assets	2,810,638,000	2,753,830,000	'	'
Long-term investments	2,724,000	3,236,000	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,832,966,000	8,597,813,000	'	'
Goodwill	512,897,000	512,964,000	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	60,509,000	64,260,000	'	'
Other long-term assets	216,265,000	227,708,000	'	'
Total assets	12,435,999,000	12,159,811,000	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current portion of debt	207,000	10,185,000	'	'
Trade accounts payable	617,827,000	545,512,000	'	'
Accrued liabilities	674,841,000	697,093,000	'	'
Income taxes payable	26,711,000	58,634,000	'	'
Total current liabilities	1,319,586,000	1,311,424,000	'	'
Long-term debt	3,956,290,000	3,904,117,000	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	596,530,000	377,744,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	481,671,000	516,161,000	'	'
Total liabilities	6,354,077,000	6,109,446,000	'	'
Subsidiary preferred stock	'	69,188,000	'	'
Shareholders' equity	6,071,426,000	5,969,086,000	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	10,496,000	12,091,000	'	'
Total equity	6,081,922,000	5,981,177,000	5,933,285,000	5,957,117,000
Total liabilities and equity	12,435,999,000	12,159,811,000	'	'
Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,106,000	730,000	3,509,000	1,639,000
Accounts receivable, net	'	27,000	'	'
Other current assets	2,024,000	50,000	'	'
Total current assets	3,130,000	807,000	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	117,000	86,000	'	'
Accrued liabilities	392,000	378,000	'	'
Total current liabilities	509,000	464,000	'	'
Nabors Delaware (Issuer)	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage	100.00%	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	4,000	7,029,000	12,778,000	106,778,000
Other current assets	28,465,000	26,378,000	'	'
Total current assets	28,469,000	33,407,000	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	32,072,000	33,815,000	'	'
Other long-term assets	31,531,000	34,487,000	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	2,000	25,000	'	'
Accrued liabilities	63,888,000	65,947,000	'	'
Total current liabilities	63,890,000	65,972,000	'	'
Long-term debt	3,956,269,000	3,904,059,000	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	30,061,000	31,071,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-255,590,000	-213,233,000	'	'
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	409,848,000	382,156,000	491,841,000	416,505,000
Short-term investments	75,386,000	117,218,000	'	'
Assets held for sale	233,163,000	243,264,000	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	1,448,511,000	1,399,516,000	'	'
Inventory	216,444,000	209,793,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	87,354,000	121,316,000	'	'
Other current assets	308,333,000	246,353,000	'	'
Total current assets	2,779,039,000	2,719,616,000	'	'
Long-term investments	2,724,000	3,236,000	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,800,894,000	8,563,998,000	'	'
Goodwill	512,897,000	512,964,000	'	'
Other long-term assets	184,734,000	193,221,000	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current portion of debt	207,000	10,185,000	'	'
Trade accounts payable	617,708,000	545,401,000	'	'
Accrued liabilities	610,561,000	630,768,000	'	'
Income taxes payable	26,711,000	58,634,000	'	'
Total current liabilities	1,255,187,000	1,244,988,000	'	'
Long-term debt	21,000	58,000	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	566,469,000	346,673,000	'	'
Deferred income taxes	737,261,000	729,394,000	'	'
Subsidiary preferred stock	'	69,188,000	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	10,496,000	12,091,000	'	'
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Intercompany receivables	167,610,000	160,136,000	'	'
Investment in consolidated affiliates	5,901,195,000	5,808,607,000	'	'
Total assets	6,071,935,000	5,969,550,000	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities	509,000	464,000	'	'
Shareholders' equity	6,071,426,000	5,969,086,000	'	'
Total equity	6,071,426,000	5,969,086,000	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	6,071,935,000	5,969,550,000	'	'
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors Delaware (Issuer)	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Intercompany receivables	'	3,891,000	'	'
Investment in consolidated affiliates	6,141,915,000	6,097,337,000	'	'
Total assets	6,233,987,000	6,202,937,000	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Intercompany payable	1,782,599,000	1,747,566,000	'	'
Total liabilities	5,577,229,000	5,535,435,000	'	'
Shareholders' equity	656,758,000	667,502,000	'	'
Total equity	656,758,000	667,502,000	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	6,233,987,000	6,202,937,000	'	'
Reportable Legal Entities | Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Intercompany receivables	1,614,989,000	1,583,539,000	'	'
Investment in consolidated affiliates	1,780,798,000	1,789,851,000	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	60,509,000	64,260,000	'	'
Total assets	15,736,584,000	15,430,685,000	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities	2,558,938,000	2,321,113,000	'	'
Shareholders' equity	13,167,150,000	13,028,293,000	'	'
Total equity	13,177,646,000	13,040,384,000	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	15,736,584,000	15,430,685,000	'	'
Consolidating Adjustments	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Intercompany receivables	-1,782,599,000	-1,747,566,000	'	'
Investment in consolidated affiliates	-13,823,908,000	-13,695,795,000	'	'
Total assets	-15,606,507,000	-15,443,361,000	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Intercompany payable	-1,782,599,000	-1,747,566,000	'	'
Total liabilities	-1,782,599,000	-1,747,566,000	'	'
Shareholders' equity	-13,823,908,000	-13,695,795,000	'	'
Total equity	-13,823,908,000	-13,695,795,000	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	($15,606,507,000)	($15,443,361,000)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Revenues and other income:	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	$1,616,981	$1,457,966	$3,206,599	$2,993,444
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	-576	1,360	-3,021	4,255
Investment income (loss)	7,066	14,821	8,046	94,242
Total revenues and other income	1,623,471	1,474,147	3,211,624	3,091,941
Costs and other deductions:	'	'	'	'
Direct costs	1,066,495	972,310	2,128,234	1,967,302
General and administrative expenses	133,630	131,202	267,896	262,080
Depreciation and amortization	282,820	266,210	564,947	535,575
Interest expense	46,303	60,273	91,113	120,284
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	16,504	9,242	17,980	68,979
Total costs and other deductions	1,545,752	1,439,237	3,070,170	2,954,220
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	77,719	34,910	141,454	137,721
Income tax expense (benefit)	10,756	6,032	24,764	15,886
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	1,234	750	1,984	1,500
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	65,729	28,128	114,706	120,335
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	-1,032	-26,873	483	-19,862
Net income (loss)	64,697	1,255	115,189	100,473
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	-253	-5,616	-826	-5,713
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	64,444	-4,361	114,363	94,760
Nabors Delaware (Issuer)	'	'	'	'
Costs and other deductions:	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	902	903	1,804	1,805
Interest expense	49,313	62,405	98,682	125,454
Income tax expense (benefit)	-18,514	-23,510	-36,914	-47,177
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)	'	'	'	'
Revenues and other income:	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	1,616,981	1,491,586	3,206,599	3,070,231
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	-576	1,360	-3,021	4,255
Costs and other deductions:	'	'	'	'
Direct costs	1,066,495	999,192	2,128,234	2,025,234
Depreciation and amortization	281,918	269,296	563,143	541,759
Interest expense	-3,010	-2,134	-7,569	-5,175
Income tax expense (benefit)	29,270	29,682	61,678	64,621
Subsidiary preferred stock dividend	1,234	750	1,984	1,500
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	-1,032	-28,004	483	-25,958
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	-253	-5,616	-826	-5,713
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)	'	'	'	'
Revenues and other income:	'	'	'	'
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	67,009	-1,005	119,592	106,868
Investment income (loss)	'	1	'	1
Total revenues and other income	67,009	-1,004	119,592	106,869
Costs and other deductions:	'	'	'	'
General and administrative expenses	2,439	3,221	4,892	5,055
Intercompany interest expense	-3	'	59	'
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	129	136	278	7,054
Total costs and other deductions	2,565	3,357	5,229	12,109
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	64,444	-4,361	114,363	94,760
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	64,444	-4,361	114,363	94,760
Net income (loss)	64,444	-4,361	114,363	94,760
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	64,444	-4,361	114,363	94,760
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors Delaware (Issuer)	'	'	'	'
Revenues and other income:	'	'	'	'
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	53,368	13,700	44,608	56,020
Investment income (loss)	146	36	146	52
Intercompany interest income	'	32	'	61
Total revenues and other income	53,514	13,768	44,754	56,133
Costs and other deductions:	'	'	'	'
General and administrative expenses	-31	390	-350	427
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	'	-89	-223	-68
Total costs and other deductions	50,184	63,609	99,913	127,618
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	3,330	-49,841	-55,159	-71,485
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	21,844	-26,331	-18,245	-24,308
Net income (loss)	21,844	-26,331	-18,245	-24,308
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	21,844	-26,331	-18,245	-24,308
Reportable Legal Entities | Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)	'	'	'	'
Revenues and other income:	'	'	'	'
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	21,844	-26,331	-18,245	-24,308
Investment income (loss)	8,056	17,057	10,172	96,462
Total revenues and other income	1,646,305	1,483,672	3,195,505	3,146,640
Costs and other deductions:	'	'	'	'
General and administrative expenses	131,351	129,137	263,632	259,955
Intercompany interest expense	3	32	-59	61
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	16,246	9,129	17,647	61,853
Total costs and other deductions	1,493,003	1,404,652	2,965,028	2,883,687
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	153,302	79,020	230,477	262,953
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	122,798	48,588	166,815	196,832
Net income (loss)	121,766	20,584	167,298	170,874
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	121,513	14,968	166,472	165,161
Consolidating Adjustments	'	'	'	'
Revenues and other income:	'	'	'	'
Earnings (losses) from consolidated affiliates	-142,221	13,636	-145,955	-138,580
Investment income (loss)	-1,136	-2,273	-2,272	-2,273
Intercompany interest income	'	-32	'	-61
Total revenues and other income	-143,357	11,331	-148,227	-140,914
Costs and other deductions:	'	'	'	'
General and administrative expenses	-129	-136	-278	-280
Intercompany interest expense	'	-32	'	-61
Losses (gains) on sales and disposals of long-lived assets and other expense (income), net	129	136	278	280
Total costs and other deductions	'	-32	'	-61
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	-143,357	11,363	-148,227	-140,853
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	-143,357	11,363	-148,227	-140,853
Net income (loss)	-143,357	11,363	-148,227	-140,853
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	($143,357)	$11,363	($148,227)	($140,853)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$64,444	($4,361)	$114,363	$94,760
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:	'	'	'	'
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	32,255	-29,304	-4,339	-52,569
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	-325	-5,137	-19,533	5,002
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses on marketable securities	-4,903	-12,183	-4,903	-88,157
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	-5,228	-17,320	-24,436	-83,155
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	123	281	246	562
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153	153	306	306
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	27,303	-46,190	-28,223	-134,856
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	-784	-2,063	-636	-2,277
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	28,087	-44,127	-27,587	-132,579
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	92,531	-48,488	86,776	-37,819
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	253	5,616	826	5,713
Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest	-379	-613	102	801
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	-632	-6,229	-724	-4,912
Comprehensive income (loss)	93,163	-42,259	87,500	-32,907
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	253	5,616	826	5,713
Translation adjustment to noncontrolling interest	-379	-613	102	801
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	-632	-6,229	-724	-4,912
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)	'	'	'	'
Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	64,444	-4,361	114,363	94,760
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:	'	'	'	'
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	32,255	-29,304	-4,339	-52,569
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	-325	-5,137	-19,533	5,002
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses on marketable securities	-4,903	-12,183	-4,903	-88,157
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	-5,228	-17,320	-24,436	-83,155
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	123	281	246	562
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153	153	306	306
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	27,303	-46,190	-28,223	-134,856
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	-784	-2,063	-636	-2,277
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	28,087	-44,127	-27,587	-132,579
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	92,531	-48,488	86,776	-37,819
Comprehensive income (loss)	92,531	-48,488	86,776	-37,819
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors Delaware (Issuer)	'	'	'	'
Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	21,844	-26,331	-18,245	-24,308
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:	'	'	'	'
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	1,937	-94	1,721	-146
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	243	48	243	233
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses on marketable securities	-506	-5,928	-506	-7,114
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	-263	-5,880	-263	-6,881
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	123	281	246	562
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153	153	306	306
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	1,950	-5,540	2,010	-6,159
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	-784	-2,063	-636	-2,277
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,734	-3,477	2,646	-3,882
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	24,578	-29,808	-15,599	-28,190
Comprehensive income (loss)	24,578	-29,808	-15,599	-28,190
Reportable Legal Entities | Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)	'	'	'	'
Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	121,513	14,968	166,472	165,161
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:	'	'	'	'
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	32,458	-29,398	-4,355	-52,715
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	-82	-5,089	-19,290	5,235
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses on marketable securities	-5,409	-18,111	-5,409	-95,271
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	-5,491	-23,200	-24,699	-90,036
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	246	562	492	1,124
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	153	153	306	306
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	27,366	-51,883	-28,256	-141,321
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,863	-4,185	-1,627	-4,672
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	29,229	-47,698	-26,629	-136,649
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	150,742	-32,730	139,843	28,512
Comprehensive income (loss)	151,374	-26,501	140,567	33,424
Consolidating Adjustments	'	'	'	'
Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	-143,357	11,363	-148,227	-140,853
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:	'	'	'	'
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	-34,395	29,492	2,634	52,861
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	-161	5,041	19,047	-5,468
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains)/losses on marketable securities	5,915	24,039	5,915	102,385
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable securities	5,754	29,080	24,962	96,917
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	-369	-843	-738	-1,686
Unrealized gains/(losses) and amortization of cash flow hedges	-306	-306	-612	-612
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	-29,316	57,423	26,246	147,480
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	2,647	6,248	2,263	6,949
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-31,963	51,175	23,983	140,531
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	-175,320	62,538	-124,244	-322
Comprehensive income (loss)	($175,320)	$62,538	($124,244)	($322)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	'	$846,037	$665,408
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Purchases of investments	'	-266	'
Sales and maturities of investments	'	23,238	163,161
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	'	-10,200	-37,516
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	'	-1,612	-3,927
Capital expenditures	'	-862,680	-500,368
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	'	69,343	29,731
Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated affiliates	'	'	10,000
Other	'	-761	-3,142
Net cash used for investing activities	'	-782,938	-342,061
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	'	-3,383	-8,686
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	'	29,047	3,200
Dividends to shareholders	-11,900	-23,792	-23,552
Proceeds from (payments for) commercial paper, net	'	111,228	295,000
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	'	15,000	'
Debt issuance costs	'	'	-87
Proceeds from debt	'	15,000	11,569
Reduction in revolving credit facilities	'	'	-590,000
Reduction in long-term debt	'	-75,000	-17,853
Reduction in short-term debt	'	-10,000	'
Redemption of subsidiary Preferred Shares	-70,900	-70,875	'
Other	'	-7,303	-3,023
Net cash used for financing activities	'	-35,078	-333,432
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	'	-6,978	-6,709
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	21,043	-16,794
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	'	389,915	524,922
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	410,958	410,958	508,128
Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)	'	'	'
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	'	29,048	3,200
Other	'	-7,304	-3,023
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	376	1,870
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	'	730	1,639
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,106	1,106	3,509
Nabors Delaware (Issuer)	'	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Changes in intercompany balances	'	4,182	348,367
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from (payments for) commercial paper, net	'	111,228	295,000
Debt issuance costs	'	'	-87
Reduction in revolving credit facilities	'	'	-590,000
Reduction in long-term debt	'	-60,000	'
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	-7,025	-94,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	'	7,029	106,778
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	4	4	12,778
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)	'	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Purchases of investments	'	-266	'
Sales and maturities of investments	'	23,238	163,161
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses, net	'	-10,200	-37,516
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	'	-1,612	-3,927
Capital expenditures	'	-862,680	-500,368
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance claims	'	69,343	29,731
Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated affiliates	'	'	10,000
Other	'	-761	-3,142
Changes in intercompany balances	'	-4,182	-348,367
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Increase (decrease) in cash overdrafts	'	-3,382	-8,686
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of common shares	'	-1	'
Proceeds from debt	'	15,000	11,569
Reduction in long-term debt	'	-15,000	-17,853
Reduction in short-term debt	'	-10,000	'
Redemption of subsidiary Preferred Shares	'	-70,875	'
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	'	-6,978	-6,709
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	27,692	75,336
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	'	382,156	416,505
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	409,848	409,848	491,841
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors (Parent/Guarantor)	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	'	-11,728	-4,554
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Dividends to shareholders	'	-26,064	-25,825
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of parent common shares to affiliates	'	16,424	32,072
Net cash used for financing activities	'	12,104	6,424
Reportable Legal Entities | Nabors Delaware (Issuer)	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	'	-62,435	-147,280
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates	'	'	-626,000
Net cash used for investing activities	'	4,182	-277,633
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from parent contributions	'	'	626,000
Net cash used for financing activities	'	51,228	330,913
Reportable Legal Entities | Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors)	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	'	906,048	787,443
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates	'	'	-1,252,000
Net cash used for investing activities	'	-787,120	-1,942,428
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from parent contributions	'	'	1,252,000
Net cash used for financing activities	'	-84,258	1,237,030
Consolidating Adjustments	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows	'	'	'
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	'	14,152	29,799
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Cash paid for investments in consolidated affiliates	'	'	1,878,000
Net cash used for investing activities	'	'	1,878,000
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Dividends to shareholders	'	2,272	2,273
Proceeds from parent contributions	'	'	-1,878,000
Proceeds from (payments for) issuance of parent common shares to affiliates	'	-16,424	-32,072
Net cash used for financing activities	'	($14,152)	($1,907,799)

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2014	Jul. 24, 2014	Jul. 01, 2014	Jul. 01, 2014	Jul. 01, 2014
		Subsequent event	Subsequent event	Subsequent event	Subsequent event
			Oil and gas properties located on the North Slope of Alaska	Oil and gas properties located on the North Slope of Alaska	Oil and gas properties located on the North Slope of Alaska
					Proceeds in subsequent years achiveing production targets
Subsequent event	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties	'	'	$35	'	$27
Amount of total project costs up to which the working interest is fully carried	'	'	'	$600	'
Dividend declared (in dollars per share)	$0.04	$0.06	'	'	'