| **Debt (Details) (USD $)**                                                | 3 Months Ended                                                                                                                        | 12 Months Ended                                             |                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                      |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                          |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt                                                                      | $ 6,203,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount                                                                                   |                                                        | $ 6,197,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount                                                                         |                                                                                                                 |
| Unamortized Discount                                                      | (25,000,000)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount                                                                                 |                                                        | (26,000,000)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount                                                                       |                                                                                                                 |
| Total Debt, Net of Discount                                               | 6,178,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt                                                                                                     |                                                        | 6,171,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt                                                                                           |                                                                                                                 |
| Capital Lease Obligations, Current                                        | (65,000,000)us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent                                                                                    | (68,000,000)us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent          |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Long-term Debt Due After One Year                                         | 6,113,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations                                                                           | 6,103,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations | 6,103,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations                                                                 |                                                                                                                 |
| Credit Facility, due October 3, 2018                                      |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                          |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt                                                                      | 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember                                         |                                                        | 0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember                               |                                                                                                                 |
| Interest Rate (percentage in hundredths)                                  | 0.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember                       |                                                        | 0.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember             |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt instrument, maturity date                                            | Oct.  03,  2018                                                                                                                       | Oct.  03,  2018                                             |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Revolving Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity                      | 4,000,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember             |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Credit facility fee rate basis points, minimum                            |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        | 0.125%nbl_CreditFacilityFeeRateBasisPointsMinimum/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember            |
| Credit facility fee rate basis points, maximum                            |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        | 0.30%nbl_CreditFacilityFeeRateBasisPointsMaximum/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember             |
| Credit facility aggregate short-term loans and letters of credit, maximum | 500,000,000nbl_CreditFacilityAggregateShortTermLoansAndLettersOfCreditMaximum/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Credit facility interest rate, Eurodollar rate plus, minimum              |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        | 1.00%nbl_CreditFacilityInterestRateEurodollarRatePlusMinimum/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember |
| Credit facility interest rate, Eurodollar rate plus, maximum              |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        | 1.45%nbl_CreditFacilityInterestRateEurodollarRatePlusMaximum/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember |
| Capital Lease and Other Obligations                                       |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                          |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt                                                                      | 419,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember                    |                                                        | 413,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember          |                                                                                                                 |
| Interest Rate (percentage in hundredths)                                  | 0.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember            |                                                        | 0.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember  |                                                                                                                 |
| Capital Lease Obligations, Current                                        | (65,000,000)us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember                 |                                                        | (68,000,000)us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember       |                                                                                                                 |
| 8.25% Senior Notes, due March 1, 2019                                     |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                          |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt                                                                      | 1,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueMarch12019Member                     |                                                        | 1,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueMarch12019Member           |                                                                                                                 |
| Interest Rate (percentage in hundredths)                                  | 8.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueMarch12019Member               |                                                        | 8.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueMarch12019Member     |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt instrument, maturity date                                            | Mar.  01,  2019                                                                                                                       | Mar.  01,  2019                                             |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| 4.15% Senior Notes, due December 15, 2021                                 |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                          |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt                                                                      | 1,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueDecember152021Member                 |                                                        | 1,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueDecember152021Member       |                                                                                                                 |
| Interest Rate (percentage in hundredths)                                  | 4.15%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueDecember152021Member           |                                                        | 4.15%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueDecember152021Member |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt instrument, maturity date                                            | Dec. 15,  2021                                                                                                                        | Dec. 15,  2021                                              |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| 7.25% Senior Notes, due October 15, 2023                                  |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                          |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt                                                                      | 100,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember                                |                                                        | 100,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember                      |                                                                                                                 |
| Interest Rate (percentage in hundredths)                                  | 7.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember                        |                                                        | 7.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember              |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt instrument, maturity date                                            | Oct. 15,  2023                                                                                                                        | Oct. 15,  2023                                              |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| 3.90% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2024                                 |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                          |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt                                                                      | 650,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueNovember152024Member                   |                                                        | 650,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueNovember152024Member         |                                                                                                                 |
| Interest Rate (percentage in hundredths)                                  | 3.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueNovember152024Member           |                                                        | 3.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueNovember152024Member |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt instrument, maturity date                                            |                                                                                                                                  | Nov. 15,  2024                                              |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| 8.00% Senior Notes, due April 1, 2027                                     |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                          |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt                                                                      | 250,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueApril12027Member                       |                                                        | 250,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueApril12027Member             |                                                                                                                 |
| Interest Rate (percentage in hundredths)                                  | 8.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueApril12027Member               |                                                        | 8.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueApril12027Member     |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt instrument, maturity date                                            | Apr.  01,  2027                                                                                                                       | Apr.  01,  2027                                             |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| 6.00% Senior Notes, due March 1, 2041                                     |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                          |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt                                                                      | 850,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueMarch12041Member                       |                                                        | 850,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueMarch12041Member             |                                                                                                                 |
| Interest Rate (percentage in hundredths)                                  | 6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueMarch12041Member               |                                                        | 6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueMarch12041Member     |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt instrument, maturity date                                            | Mar.  01,  2041                                                                                                                       | Mar.  01,  2041                                             |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| 5.25% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2043                                 |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                          |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt                                                                      | 1,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueNovember152043Member                 |                                                        | 1,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueNovember152043Member       |                                                                                                                 |
| Interest Rate (percentage in hundredths)                                  | 5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueNovember152043Member           |                                                        | 5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueNovember152043Member |                                                                                                                 |
| 5.05% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2044                                 |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                          |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt                                                                      | 850,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesdueNovember152044Member                   |                                                        | 850,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesdueNovember152044Member         |                                                                                                                 |
| Interest Rate (percentage in hundredths)                                  | 5.05%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesdueNovember152044Member           |                                                        | 5.05%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesdueNovember152044Member |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt instrument, maturity date                                            |                                                                                                                                  | Nov. 15,  2044                                              |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| 7.25% Senior Debentures, due August 1, 2097                               |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                          |                                                                                                                                  |                                                        |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt                                                                      | $ 84,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueAugust12097Member                     |                                                        | $ 84,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueAugust12097Member           |                                                                                                                 |
| Interest Rate (percentage in hundredths)                                  | 7.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueAugust12097Member              |                                                        | 7.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= nbl_SeniorNotesDueAugust12097Member    |                                                                                                                 |
| Debt instrument, maturity date                                            | Aug.  01,  2097                                                                                                                       | Aug.  01,  2097                                             |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                 |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Maximum incremental aggregate short-term loans and letters of credit capacity under the terms of a credit facility.
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No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of the fee for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility, maximum
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of the fee for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility, minimum
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
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| - Definition
Adjustment maximum made to the stated Eurodollar rate to determine the effective rate.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
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| - Definition
Adjustment minimum made to the stated Eurodollar rate to determine the effective rate.
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No definition available.
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|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of capital lease obligation due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of long-term debt before deduction of unamortized discount or premium. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, with initial maturities beyond one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.
+ References
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|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligation due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section H
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