| **Segment Information (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | 3 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                   |                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                   |                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| Revenues from Third Parties                                                      | $ 740us-gaap_OilAndGasSalesRevenue                                                                                                                                               | $ 1,327us-gaap_OilAndGasSalesRevenue                                                                                                                                             |   |
| Income from Equity Method Investees                                              | 18us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments                                                                                                                                  | 52us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments                                                                                                                                  |   |
| Other                                                                            | 1us-gaap_GasGatheringTransportationMarketingAndProcessingRevenue                                                                                                                 | 0us-gaap_GasGatheringTransportationMarketingAndProcessingRevenue                                                                                                                 |   |
| DD&A                                                                         | 454us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization                                                                                                                                  | 425us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization                                                                                                                                  |   |
| Asset Impairments                                                                | 27us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties                                                                                                                                        | 97us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties                                                                                                                                        |   |
| Loss on Commodity Derivative Instruments                                         | 150us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet                                                                                                     | (75)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet                                                                                                    |   |
| Total Revenues                                                                   | 759us-gaap_Revenues                                                                                                                                                              | 1,379us-gaap_Revenues                                                                                                                                                            |   |
| Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes                                                | (42)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest                                                                          | 277us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest                                                                           |   |
| Total Assets                                                                     | 23,261nbl_AssetsNetOfAhfs                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                             | 22,553nbl_AssetsNetOfAhfs |
| United States [Member]                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                   |                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| Revenues from Third Parties                                                      | 478us-gaap_OilAndGasSalesRevenue/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                                                              | 842us-gaap_OilAndGasSalesRevenue/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                                                              |   |
| Income from Equity Method Investees                                              | 11us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                                               | 0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                                                |   |
| Other                                                                            | 1us-gaap_GasGatheringTransportationMarketingAndProcessingRevenue/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                              |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| DD&A                                                                         | 357us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                                               | 308us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                                               |   |
| Asset Impairments                                                                | 3us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                                                      | 5us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                                                      |   |
| Loss on Commodity Derivative Instruments                                         | 105us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                  | (76)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                 |   |
| Total Revenues                                                                   | 490us-gaap_Revenues/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                                                                           | 842us-gaap_Revenues/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                                                                           |   |
| Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes                                                | (1)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                        | 183us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                        |   |
| Total Assets                                                                     | 16,998nbl_AssetsNetOfAhfs/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                             | 16,400nbl_AssetsNetOfAhfs/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= country_US |
| West Africa [Member]                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                   |                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| Revenues from Third Parties                                                      | 138us-gaap_OilAndGasSalesRevenue/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                                                                    | 323us-gaap_OilAndGasSalesRevenue/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                                                                    |   |
| Income from Equity Method Investees                                              | 7us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                                                      | 52us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                                                     |   |
| Other                                                                            | 0us-gaap_GasGatheringTransportationMarketingAndProcessingRevenue/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| DD&A                                                                         | 77us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                                                      | 76us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                                                      |   |
| Asset Impairments                                                                | 0us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                                                            | 0us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                                                            |   |
| Loss on Commodity Derivative Instruments                                         | 45us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                         | 1us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                          |   |
| Total Revenues                                                                   | 145us-gaap_Revenues/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                                                                                 | 375us-gaap_Revenues/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                                                                                 |   |
| Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes                                                | 74us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember               | 261us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember              |   |
| Total Assets                                                                     | 2,732nbl_AssetsNetOfAhfs/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember                                                                                            |                                                                                                                                                                             | 2,763nbl_AssetsNetOfAhfs/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_AfricaMember |
| Eastern Mediterranean [Member]                                                   |                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                   |                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| Revenues from Third Parties                                                      | 120us-gaap_OilAndGasSalesRevenue/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                                                          | 112us-gaap_OilAndGasSalesRevenue/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                                                          |   |
| Income from Equity Method Investees                                              | 0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                                            | 0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                                            |   |
| Other                                                                            | 0us-gaap_GasGatheringTransportationMarketingAndProcessingRevenue/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                          |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| DD&A                                                                         | 15us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                                            | 14us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                                            |   |
| Asset Impairments                                                                | 24us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                                                 | 0us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                                                  |   |
| Loss on Commodity Derivative Instruments                                         | 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                | 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                |   |
| Total Revenues                                                                   | 120us-gaap_Revenues/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                                                                       | 112us-gaap_Revenues/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                                                                       |   |
| Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes                                                | 51us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember     | 77us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember     |   |
| Total Assets                                                                     | 2,840nbl_AssetsNetOfAhfs/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                             | 2,806nbl_AssetsNetOfAhfs/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= nbl_EasternMediterraneanMember |
| Other Int'l & Corporate [Member]                                             |                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                   |                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| Revenues from Third Parties                                                      | 4us-gaap_OilAndGasSalesRevenue/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                                                                           | 50us-gaap_OilAndGasSalesRevenue/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                                                                          |   |
| Income from Equity Method Investees                                              | 0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                                                           | 0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                                                           |   |
| Other                                                                            | 0us-gaap_GasGatheringTransportationMarketingAndProcessingRevenue/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                                         |                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
| DD&A                                                                         | 5us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                                                            | 27us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                                                           |   |
| Asset Impairments                                                                | 0us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                                                                 | 92us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                                                                |   |
| Loss on Commodity Derivative Instruments                                         | 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                               | 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                               |   |
| Total Revenues                                                                   | 4us-gaap_Revenues/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                                                                                        | 50us-gaap_Revenues/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                                                                                       |   |
| Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes                                                | (166)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | (244)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |   |
| Total Assets                                                                     | $ 691nbl_AssetsNetOfAhfs/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                             | $ 584nbl_AssetsNetOfAhfs/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Sum of carrying amounts as of balance sheet date of all assets (with the exception of assets that are held for sale) that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or results.
+ References
No definition available.
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| - Definition
The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.
+ References
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|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) of derivative instruments not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments.
+ References
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|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Revenue related to midstream and downstream gas activities. May include the following: gathering from wells, processing to remove impurities, storage, transmission, and the sale of natural gas and related products.
+ References
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|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The expense recorded to reduce the value of oil and gas assets consisting of proved properties and unproved properties as the estimate of future successful production from these properties is reduced.
+ References
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|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.
+ References
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|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.
+ References
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|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Revenue from the sale of oil and gas during the period.
+ References
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|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).
+ References
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