| **Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details)**                           | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| Crude Oil Commodity Contract [Member] | Swaps - NYMEX WTI 2015                        |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Settlement Period                                                                     | 2015                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Index                                                                                 | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Volume Per Day                                                                        | 27,000invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_SwapsNymexWti2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                     |
| Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                          | 88.80us-gaap_DerivativeSwapTypeAverageFixedPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_SwapsNymexWti2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                     |
| Crude Oil Commodity Contract [Member] | Swaps - Dated Brent 2015                      |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Settlement Period                                                                     | 2015                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Index                                                                                 | Dated Brent                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Volume Per Day                                                                        | 8,000invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_SwapsDatedBrent2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                    |
| Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                          | 100.31us-gaap_DerivativeSwapTypeAverageFixedPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_SwapsDatedBrent2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                  |
| Crude Oil Commodity Contract [Member] | Three Way Collars - NYMEX WTI 2015            |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Settlement Period                                                                     | 2015                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Index                                                                                 | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Volume Per Day                                                                        | 20,000invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNymexWti2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember           |
| Weighted Average Short Put Price                                                      | 70.50us-gaap_DerivativeAveragePriceRiskOptionStrikePrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNymexWti2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember   |
| Weighted Average Floor Price                                                          | 87.55us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFloorPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNymexWti2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                   |
| Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                        | 94.41us-gaap_DerivativeAverageCapPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNymexWti2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                     |
| Crude Oil Commodity Contract [Member] | Three Way Collars - Dated Brent 2015          |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Settlement Period                                                                     | 2015                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Index                                                                                 | Dated Brent                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Volume Per Day                                                                        | 13,000invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsDatedBrent2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember         |
| Weighted Average Short Put Price                                                      | 76.92us-gaap_DerivativeAveragePriceRiskOptionStrikePrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsDatedBrent2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember |
| Weighted Average Floor Price                                                          | 96.00us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFloorPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsDatedBrent2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                 |
| Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                        | 108.49us-gaap_DerivativeAverageCapPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsDatedBrent2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                  |
| Crude Oil Commodity Contract [Member] | Swaps - NYMEX WTI 2016 [Member]               |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Settlement Period                                                                     | 2016                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Index                                                                                 | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Volume Per Day                                                                        | 6,000invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_SwapsNYMEXWTI2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                      |
| Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                          | 87.95us-gaap_DerivativeSwapTypeAverageFixedPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_SwapsNYMEXWTI2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                     |
| Crude Oil Commodity Contract [Member] | Swaps - Dated Brent 2016 [Member]             |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Settlement Period                                                                     | 2016                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Index                                                                                 | Dated Brent                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Volume Per Day                                                                        | 9,000invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_SwapsDatedBrent2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                    |
| Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                          | 97.96us-gaap_DerivativeSwapTypeAverageFixedPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_SwapsDatedBrent2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                   |
| Crude Oil Commodity Contract [Member] | Three Way Collars - NYMEX WTI 2016 [Member]   |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Settlement Period                                                                     | 2016                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Index                                                                                 | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Volume Per Day                                                                        | 3,000invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNYMEXWTI2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember            |
| Weighted Average Short Put Price                                                      | 72.00us-gaap_DerivativeAveragePriceRiskOptionStrikePrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNYMEXWTI2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember   |
| Weighted Average Floor Price                                                          | 85.00us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFloorPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNYMEXWTI2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                   |
| Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                        | 94.82us-gaap_DerivativeAverageCapPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNYMEXWTI2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                     |
| Crude Oil Commodity Contract [Member] | Three Way Collars - Dated Brent 2016 [Member] |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Settlement Period                                                                     | 2016                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Index                                                                                 | Dated Brent                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Volume Per Day                                                                        | 6,000invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsDatedBrent2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember          |
| Weighted Average Short Put Price                                                      | 80.00us-gaap_DerivativeAveragePriceRiskOptionStrikePrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsDatedBrent2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember |
| Weighted Average Floor Price                                                          | 95.00us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFloorPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsDatedBrent2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                 |
| Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                        | 105.87us-gaap_DerivativeAverageCapPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsDatedBrent2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember                  |
| Natural Gas Commodity Contract [Member] | Swaps NYMEX HH 2015                         |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Settlement Period                                                                     | 2015                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Index                                                                                 | NYMEX HH                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Volume Per Day                                                                        | 140,000invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_SwapsNymexHh2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember                   |
| Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                          | 4.30us-gaap_DerivativeSwapTypeAverageFixedPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_SwapsNymexHh2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember                     |
| Natural Gas Commodity Contract [Member] | Three Way Collars NYMEX HH 2015             |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Settlement Period                                                                     | 2015                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Index                                                                                 | NYMEX HH                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Volume Per Day                                                                        | 150,000invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNymexHh2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember         |
| Weighted Average Short Put Price                                                      | 3.58us-gaap_DerivativeAveragePriceRiskOptionStrikePrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNymexHh2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember   |
| Weighted Average Floor Price                                                          | 4.25us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFloorPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNymexHh2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember                   |
| Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                        | 5.04us-gaap_DerivativeAverageCapPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNymexHh2015Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember                     |
| Natural Gas Commodity Contract [Member] | Swaps - NYMEX HH 2016 [Member]              |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Settlement Period                                                                     | 2016                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Index                                                                                 | NYMEX HH                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Volume Per Day                                                                        | 10,000invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_SwapsNYMEXHH2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember                    |
| Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                          | 3.90us-gaap_DerivativeSwapTypeAverageFixedPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_SwapsNYMEXHH2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember                     |
| Natural Gas Commodity Contract [Member] | Three Way Collars - NYMEX HH 2016 [Member]  |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Settlement Period                                                                     | 2016                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Index                                                                                 | NYMEX HH                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Volume Per Day                                                                        | 30,000invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNYMEXHH2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember          |
| Weighted Average Short Put Price                                                      | 3.00us-gaap_DerivativeAveragePriceRiskOptionStrikePrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNYMEXHH2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember   |
| Weighted Average Floor Price                                                          | 3.75us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFloorPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNYMEXHH2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember                   |
| Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                        | 4.40us-gaap_DerivativeAverageCapPrice/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis= nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNYMEXHH2016Member/ nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis= nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember                     |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Aggregate notional amount of derivative expressed in nonmonetary units. For example, the number of barrels specified in a fuel oil forward purchase contract.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 12 -Section 13 -Sentence Column B
+ Details**Name:**invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount**Namespace Prefix:**invest_**Data Type:**xbrli:decimalItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Contract period of time relating to a derivative instrument.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**nbl_DerivativeProductionPeriod**Namespace Prefix:**nbl_**Data Type:**us-types:dateStringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The average cap rate on a group of price risk derivatives such as caps or collars. A payment or receipt is triggered if the market rate exceeds the cap rate on the contract.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DerivativeAverageCapPrice**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**us-types:perUnitItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The average floor rate on a group of price risk derivatives such as floors or collars. A payment or receipt is triggered if the market rate falls below the floor rate on the contract.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFloorPrice**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**us-types:perUnitItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The average strike price on the group of price risk option contracts such as put options or call options.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DerivativeAveragePriceRiskOptionStrikePrice**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**us-types:perUnitItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Average fixed price related to the group of price risk swap derivatives.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DerivativeSwapTypeAverageFixedPrice**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**us-types:perUnitItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Reference to the index or unit of measurement for the underlying which establishes the pricing terms of the derivative instrument. For example, the basis on the underlying for a natural gas futures contract might be the NYMEX price per million British thermal units (MMBtu).
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DerivativeUnderlyingBasis**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis=nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis=nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |