|**Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | Mar. 31, 2014                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Dec. 31, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|**Financial Assets [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Mutual Fund Investments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | $ 116                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Commodity Derivative Instruments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 11                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|**Financial Liabilities [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Commodity Derivative Instruments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | (111)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Portion of Deferred Compensation Liability Measured at Fair Value                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | (181)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|**Financial Assets [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Mutual Fund Investments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | 116                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | [1]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
|Commodity Derivative Instruments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|**Financial Liabilities [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Commodity Derivative Instruments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Portion of Deferred Compensation Liability Measured at Fair Value                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | (181)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | [1]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
|Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|**Financial Assets [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Mutual Fund Investments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | 0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Commodity Derivative Instruments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 15                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | [2]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
|**Financial Liabilities [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Commodity Derivative Instruments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | (115)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | [2]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
|Portion of Deferred Compensation Liability Measured at Fair Value                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|**Financial Assets [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Mutual Fund Investments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | 0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Commodity Derivative Instruments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|**Financial Liabilities [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Commodity Derivative Instruments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Portion of Deferred Compensation Liability Measured at Fair Value                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Adjustment                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|**Financial Assets [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Mutual Fund Investments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | 0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Commodity Derivative Instruments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | (4)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | [3]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
|**Financial Liabilities [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|Commodity Derivative Instruments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | [3]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
|Portion of Deferred Compensation Liability Measured at Fair Value                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | $ 0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
|[1]
              Level 1 measurements are fair value measurements which use quoted market prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. We use Level 1 inputs when available as Level 1 inputs generally provide the most reliable evidence of fair value.[2]
              Level 2 measurements are fair value measurements which use inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.[3]
              Amount represents the impact of netting provisions within our master agreements that allow us to net cash settle asset and liability positions with the same counterparty. | [1]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Level 1 measurements are fair value measurements which use quoted market prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. We use Level 1 inputs when available as Level 1 inputs generally provide the most reliable evidence of fair value.
|[1]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Level 1 measurements are fair value measurements which use quoted market prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. We use Level 1 inputs when available as Level 1 inputs generally provide the most reliable evidence of fair value.
|[2]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Level 2 measurements are fair value measurements which use inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.                                                                  
|[3]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Amount represents the impact of netting provisions within our master agreements that allow us to net cash settle asset and liability positions with the same counterparty.                                                                                            

X- DefinitionThis element represents a certain statement of financial position liability caption which represents a commodity derivative liability, measured at fair value on a recurring basis.+ ReferencesNo definition available.+ Details**Name:**
                    nbl_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisCommodityDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilities**Namespace Prefix:**
                    nbl_**Data Type:**
                    xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**
                    credit**Period Type:**
                    instant X- DefinitionThis element represents a certain statement of financial position liability caption which represents a deferred compensation liability, measured at fair value on a recurring basis.+ ReferencesNo definition available.+ Details**Name:**
                    nbl_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDeferredCompensationLiability**Namespace Prefix:**
                    nbl_**Data Type:**
                    xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**
                    credit**Period Type:**
                    instant X- Details**Name:**
                    nbl_FinancialAssetsAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**
                    nbl_**Data Type:**
                    xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**
                    na**Period Type:**
                    duration X- Details**Name:**
                    nbl_FinancialLiabilitiesAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**
                    nbl_**Data Type:**
                    xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**
                    na**Period Type:**
                    duration X- DefinitionFair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.+ ReferencesReference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28364263&loc=d3e13433-108611Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28364263&loc=d3e13495-108611Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20225523&loc=SL20225862-175312Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28370219&loc=SL20226008-175313+ Details**Name:**
                    us-gaap_DerivativeAssets**Namespace Prefix:**
                    us-gaap_**Data Type:**
                    xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**
                    debit**Period Type:**
                    instant X- DefinitionFair value portion of investment securities, including, but not limited to, marketable securities, derivative financial instruments, and investments accounted for under the equity method.+ ReferencesReference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Available-for-Sale Securities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505594Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Trading Securities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6526789Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28360136&loc=d3e22054-111558Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph a, f, g -Article 7Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27723805&loc=d3e24584-111560+ Details**Name:**
                    us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure**Namespace Prefix:**
                    us-gaap_**Data Type:**
                    xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**
                    debit**Period Type:**
                    instant