| **Stock-Based and Other Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                      |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| **Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]**     |                                                                                                                                 |   |   |
| Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense                                                                | $ 87us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense                                                                                   | $ 80us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense | $ 65us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense |
| Tax Benefit Recognized                                                                                | (31)us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense                                                   | (28)us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense | (23)us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense |
| General And Administrative [Member]                                                                   |                                                                                                                                 |   |   |
| **Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]**     |                                                                                                                                 |   |   |
| Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense                                                                | 63us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember | 58us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember | 48us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember |
| Exploration Expense And Other [Member]                                                                |                                                                                                                                 |   |   |
| **Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]**     |                                                                                                                                 |   |   |
| Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense                                                                | $ 24us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= nbl_ExplorationExpenseAndOtherMember        | $ 22us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= nbl_ExplorationExpenseAndOtherMember | $ 17us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis= nbl_ExplorationExpenseAndOtherMember |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 14 -Section F
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| X                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |