| **Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | Dec. 31, 2014                                                                                                                    |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Other Commitments [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                             |
| 2015                                                                                         | $ 613us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInNextTwelveMonths                                                                                |
| 2016                                                                                         | 440us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInSecondYear                                                                                        |
| 2017                                                                                         | 418us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInThirdYear                                                                                         |
| 2018                                                                                         | 405us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInFourthYear                                                                                        |
| 2019                                                                                         | 337us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInFifthYear                                                                                         |
| 2020 and Thereafter                                                                          | 2,271us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueAfterFifthYear                                                                                    |
| Total                                                                                        | 4,484us-gaap_OtherCommitment                                                                                                     |
| Drilling Equipment And Purchase Commitments [Member]                                         |                                                                                                                             |
| **Other Commitments [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                             |
| 2015                                                                                         | 316us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInNextTwelveMonths/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_DrillingEquipmentAndPurchaseCommitmentsMember |
| 2016                                                                                         | 137us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInSecondYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_DrillingEquipmentAndPurchaseCommitmentsMember       |
| 2017                                                                                         | 56us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInThirdYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_DrillingEquipmentAndPurchaseCommitmentsMember         |
| 2018                                                                                         | 11us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInFourthYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_DrillingEquipmentAndPurchaseCommitmentsMember        |
| 2019                                                                                         | 3us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInFifthYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_DrillingEquipmentAndPurchaseCommitmentsMember          |
| 2020 and Thereafter                                                                          | 13us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueAfterFifthYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_DrillingEquipmentAndPurchaseCommitmentsMember      |
| Total                                                                                        | 536us-gaap_OtherCommitment/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_DrillingEquipmentAndPurchaseCommitmentsMember                      |
| Transportation Agreement Commitments [Member]                                                |                                                                                                                             |
| **Other Commitments [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                             |
| 2015                                                                                         | 159us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInNextTwelveMonths/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_TransportationAgreementCommitmentsMember      |
| 2016                                                                                         | 185us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInSecondYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_TransportationAgreementCommitmentsMember            |
| 2017                                                                                         | 240us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInThirdYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_TransportationAgreementCommitmentsMember             |
| 2018                                                                                         | 277us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInFourthYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_TransportationAgreementCommitmentsMember            |
| 2019                                                                                         | 265us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInFifthYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_TransportationAgreementCommitmentsMember             |
| 2020 and Thereafter                                                                          | 1,860us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueAfterFifthYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_TransportationAgreementCommitmentsMember        |
| Total                                                                                        | 2,986us-gaap_OtherCommitment/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_TransportationAgreementCommitmentsMember                         |
| Operating Lease Commitments [Member]                                                         |                                                                                                                             |
| **Other Commitments [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                             |
| 2015                                                                                         | 49us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInNextTwelveMonths/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_OperatingLeaseCommitmentsMember                |
| 2016                                                                                         | 40us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInSecondYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_OperatingLeaseCommitmentsMember                      |
| 2017                                                                                         | 40us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInThirdYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_OperatingLeaseCommitmentsMember                       |
| 2018                                                                                         | 31us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInFourthYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_OperatingLeaseCommitmentsMember                      |
| 2019                                                                                         | 18us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInFifthYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_OperatingLeaseCommitmentsMember                       |
| 2020 and Thereafter                                                                          | 174us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueAfterFifthYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_OperatingLeaseCommitmentsMember                   |
| Total                                                                                        | 352us-gaap_OtherCommitment/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_OperatingLeaseCommitmentsMember                                    |
| Fpso Lease Commitments [Member]                                                              |                                                                                                                             |
| **Other Commitments [Line Items]**                                                           |                                                                                                                             |
| 2015                                                                                         | 89us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInNextTwelveMonths/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_FpsoLeaseCommitmentsMember                     |
| 2016                                                                                         | 78us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInSecondYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_FpsoLeaseCommitmentsMember                           |
| 2017                                                                                         | 82us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInThirdYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_FpsoLeaseCommitmentsMember                            |
| 2018                                                                                         | 86us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInFourthYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_FpsoLeaseCommitmentsMember                           |
| 2019                                                                                         | 51us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInFifthYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_FpsoLeaseCommitmentsMember                            |
| 2020 and Thereafter                                                                          | 224us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueAfterFifthYear/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_FpsoLeaseCommitmentsMember                        |
| Total                                                                                        | $ 610us-gaap_OtherCommitment/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis= nbl_FpsoLeaseCommitmentsMember                                       |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Minimum amount of other commitment not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Excludes commitments explicitly modeled in the taxonomy, including but not limited to, long-term and short-term purchase commitments, recorded and unrecorded purchase obligations, supply commitments, registration payment arrangements, leases, debt, product warranties, guarantees, environmental remediation obligations, and pensions.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitment**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Minimum amount of other commitment maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for commitments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Excludes commitments explicitly modeled in this taxonomy, including but not limited to, long-term and short-term purchase commitments, recorded and unrecorded purchase obligations, supply commitments, registration payment arrangements, leases, debt, product warranties, guarantees, environmental remediation obligations, and pensions.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueAfterFifthYear**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Minimum amount of other commitment maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for commitments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Excludes commitments explicitly modeled in this taxonomy, including but not limited to, long-term and short-term purchase commitments, recorded and unrecorded purchase obligations, supply commitments, registration payment arrangements, leases, debt, product warranties, guarantees, environmental remediation obligations, and pensions.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInFifthYear**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Minimum amount of other commitment maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for commitments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Excludes commitments explicitly modeled in this taxonomy, including but not limited to, long-term and short-term purchase commitments, recorded and unrecorded purchase obligations, supply commitments, registration payment arrangements, leases, debt, product warranties, guarantees, environmental remediation obligations, and pensions.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInFourthYear**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Minimum amount of other commitment maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for commitments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Excludes commitments explicitly modeled in this taxonomy, including but not limited to, long-term and short-term purchase commitments, recorded and unrecorded purchase obligations, supply commitments, registration payment arrangements, leases, debt, product warranties, guarantees, environmental remediation obligations, and pensions.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInNextTwelveMonths**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Minimum amount of other commitment maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for commitments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Excludes commitments explicitly modeled in this taxonomy, including but not limited to, long-term and short-term purchase commitments, recorded and unrecorded purchase obligations, supply commitments, registration payment arrangements, leases, debt, product warranties, guarantees, environmental remediation obligations, and pensions.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInSecondYear**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Minimum amount of other commitment maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for commitments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Excludes commitments explicitly modeled in this taxonomy, including but not limited to, long-term and short-term purchase commitments, recorded and unrecorded purchase obligations, supply commitments, registration payment arrangements, leases, debt, product warranties, guarantees, environmental remediation obligations, and pensions.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitmentDueInThirdYear**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                      |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis=nbl_DrillingEquipmentAndPurchaseCommitmentsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis=nbl_FpsoLeaseCommitmentsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                        |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis=nbl_OperatingLeaseCommitmentsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis=nbl_TransportationAgreementCommitmentsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |