|**Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details)**                                                                                  | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                   
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Swaps - NYMEX WTI 2015                                                                                        |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                        
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 27,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                                                                                 | 88.80                                                                                                            
|Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Two Way Collars - NYMEX WTI 2015                                                                              |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                        
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 5,000                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Floor Price                                                                                                                 | 50.00                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                                                                               | 64.94                                                                                                            
|Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Swaps - Dated Brent 2015                                                                                      |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | Dated Brent                                                                                                      
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 8,000                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                                                                                 | 100.31                                                                                                           
|Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Three Way Collars - NYMEX WTI 2015                                                                            |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                        
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 20,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Short Put Price                                                                                                             | 70.50                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Floor Price                                                                                                                 | 87.55                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                                                                               | 94.41                                                                                                            
|Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Three Way Collars - Dated Brent 2015                                                                          |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | Dated Brent                                                                                                      
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 13,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Short Put Price                                                                                                             | 76.92                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Floor Price                                                                                                                 | 96.00                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                                                                               | 108.49                                                                                                           
|Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Swaps - Dated Brent 2016                                                                                      |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2016                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | Dated Brent                                                                                                      
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 9,000                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                                                                                 | 97.96                                                                                                            
|Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Three Way Collars - NYMEX WTI 2016                                                                            |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2016                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                        
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 6,000                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Short Put Price                                                                                                             | 61.00                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Floor Price                                                                                                                 | 72.50                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                                                                               | 86.37                                                                                                            
|Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Three Way Collars - Dated Brent 2016                                                                          |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2016                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | Dated Brent                                                                                                      
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 8,000                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Short Put Price                                                                                                             | 72.50                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Floor Price                                                                                                                 | 86.25                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                                                                               | 101.79                                                                                                           
|Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Call - NYMEX WTI 2017 [Member]                                                                                |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2017                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                        
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 3,000                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                                                                               | 57.00                                                                                                            
|Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Two Way Collars - NYMEX HH 2016                                                                               |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2016                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                        
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 1,000                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Floor Price                                                                                                                 | 60.00                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                                                                               | 70.00                                                                                                            
|Natural Gas Commodity Contract | Swaps - NYMEX HH 2015                                                                                       |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX HH                                                                                                         
|Bbls Per Day | MMBTU / d                                                                                                                     | 140,000                                                                                                          
|Weighted Average Fixed Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                     | 4.30                                                                                                             
|Natural Gas Commodity Contract | Three Way Collars - NYMEX HH 2015                                                                           |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX HH                                                                                                         
|Bbls Per Day | MMBTU / d                                                                                                                     | 150,000                                                                                                          
|Weighted Average Short Put Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                 | 3.58                                                                                                             
|Weighted Average Floor Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                     | 4.25                                                                                                             
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                   | 5.04                                                                                                             
|Natural Gas Commodity Contract | Swaps - NYMEX HH 2016                                                                                       |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2016                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX HH                                                                                                         
|Bbls Per Day | MMBTU / d                                                                                                                     | 40,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Fixed Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                     | 3.60                                                                                                             
|Natural Gas Commodity Contract | Two Way Collars - NYMEX HH 2016                                                                             |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2016                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX HH                                                                                                         
|Bbls Per Day | MMBTU / d                                                                                                                     | 30,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Floor Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                     | 3.00                                                                                                             
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                   | 3.50                                                                                                             
|Natural Gas Commodity Contract | Three Way Collars - NYMEX HH 2016                                                                           |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2016                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX HH                                                                                                         
|Bbls Per Day | MMBTU / d                                                                                                                     | 90,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Short Put Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                 | 2.83                                                                                                             
|Weighted Average Floor Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                     | 3.42                                                                                                             
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                   | 3.90                                                                                                             
|Natural Gas Commodity Contract | Swaps - NYMEX HH Extension                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Bbls Per Day | MMBTU / d                                                                                                                     | 30,000                                                                                                           
|Natural Gas Commodity Contract | Swaps - NYMEX HH Increase                                                                                   |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Bbls Per Day | MMBTU / d                                                                                                                     | 30,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Fixed Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                     | 3.50                                                                                                             
|Rosetta Resources, Inc [Member] | Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Swaps - NYMEX WTI 2015                                                      |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | (2)                                                                                                              
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 12,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                                                                                 | 89.81                                                                                                            
|Rosetta Resources, Inc [Member] | Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Two Way Collars - NYMEX WTI 2015                                            |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | (2)                                                                                                              
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 8,000                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Floor Price                                                                                                                 | 55.00                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                                                                               | 84.80                                                                                                            
|Rosetta Resources, Inc [Member] | Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Swaps - NYMEX WTI 2016                                                      |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2016                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | (2)                                                                                                              
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 6,000                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                                                                                 | 90.28                                                                                                            
|Rosetta Resources, Inc [Member] | NGL Commodity Contract | Swaps - NGL Ethane                                                                |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NGL-Ethane                                                                                                       
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 104,000                                                                                                          
|Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                                                                                 | 0.27                                                                                                             
|Rosetta Resources, Inc [Member] | NGL Commodity Contract | Swaps - NGL Propane                                                               |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NGL-Propane                                                                                                      
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 73,500                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                                                                                 | 1.03                                                                                                             
|Rosetta Resources, Inc [Member] | NGL Commodity Contract | Swaps - NGL Isobutane                                                             |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NGL-Isobutane                                                                                                    
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 25,900                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                                                                                 | 1.26                                                                                                             
|Rosetta Resources, Inc [Member] | NGL Commodity Contract | Swaps - NGL Normal Butane                                                         |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NGL-Normal Butane                                                                                                
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 24,300                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                                                                                 | 1.25                                                                                                             
|Rosetta Resources, Inc [Member] | NGL Commodity Contract | Swaps - NGL Pentanes Plus                                                         |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NGL-Pentanes Plus                                                                                                
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 24,300                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                                                                                 | 1.85                                                                                                             
|Rosetta Resources, Inc [Member] | Natural Gas Commodity Contract | Swaps - Houston Ship Channel and Tennessee Zone 0 2015 [Member]           |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | (2)                                                                                                              
|Bbls Per Day | MMBTU / d                                                                                                                     | 50,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Fixed Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                     | 4.13                                                                                                             
|Rosetta Resources, Inc [Member] | Natural Gas Commodity Contract | Two Way Collars - Houston Ship Channel and Tennessee Zone 0 2015 [Member] |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2015                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | (2)                                                                                                              
|Bbls Per Day | MMBTU / d                                                                                                                     | 50,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Floor Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                     | 3.60                                                                                                             
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                   | 5.04                                                                                                             
|Rosetta Resources, Inc [Member] | Natural Gas Commodity Contract | Swaps - Houston Ship Channel and Tennessee Zone 0 2016 [Member] [Member]  |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2016                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | (2)                                                                                                              
|Bbls Per Day | MMBTU / d                                                                                                                     | 30,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Fixed Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                     | 4.04                                                                                                             
|Rosetta Resources, Inc [Member] | Natural Gas Commodity Contract | Two Way Collars - Houston Ship Channel and Tennessee Zone 0 2016 [Member] |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2016                                                                                                             
|Index                                                                                                                                        | (2)                                                                                                              
|Bbls Per Day | MMBTU / d                                                                                                                     | 30,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Floor Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                     | 3.50                                                                                                             
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price | $ / MMBTU                                                                                                   | 5.60                                                                                                             
|First half 2016 [Member] | Swaps - NYMEX WTI 2016                                                                                            |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 3,000                                                                                                            
|First half 2016 [Member] | Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Swaps - NYMEX WTI 2016                                                             |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 1H16 (4)                                                                                                         
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                        
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 15,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                                                                                 | 70.31                                                                                                            
|Second half 2016 [Member] | Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Swaps - NYMEX WTI 2016                                                            |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2H16 (4)                                                                                                         
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                        
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 12,000                                                                                                           
|Weighted Average Fixed Price                                                                                                                 | 74.47                                                                                                            
|Second half 2016 [Member] | Crude Oil Commodity Contract | Call - NYMEX WTI 2016 [Member]                                                    |                                                                                                                  
|**Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                  
|Settlement Period                                                                                                                            | 2H16 (4)                                                                                                         
|Index                                                                                                                                        | NYMEX WTI                                                                                                        
|Bbls Per Day | bbl / d                                                                                                                       | 3,000                                                                                                            
|Weighted Average Ceiling Price                                                                                                               | 53.65                                                                                                            
|                                                                                                                                            
|[1]
Includes derivative instruments assumed by our subsidiary, NBL Texas, LLC, in connection with the Rosetta Merger.                        | [1]                                                                                                              
|[1]                                                                                                                                          | Includes derivative instruments assumed by our subsidiary, NBL Texas, LLC, in connection with the Rosetta Merger.

X- DefinitionAggregate notional amount of derivative expressed in nonmonetary units. For example, the number of barrels specified in a fuel oil forward purchase contract.
+ ReferencesReference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 12 -Section 13 -Sentence Column B
+ Details**Name:**
invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount**Namespace Prefix:**
invest_**Data Type:**
xbrli:decimalItemType**Balance Type:**
na**Period Type:**
instant X- DefinitionContract period of time relating to a derivative instrument.
+ ReferencesNo definition available.
+ Details**Name:**
nbl_DerivativeProductionPeriod**Namespace Prefix:**
nbl_**Data Type:**
us-types:dateStringItemType**Balance Type:**
na**Period Type:**
duration X- DefinitionThe average cap rate on a group of price risk derivatives such as caps or collars. A payment or receipt is triggered if the market rate exceeds the cap rate on the contract.
+ ReferencesNo definition available.
+ Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeAverageCapPrice**Namespace Prefix:**
us-gaap_**Data Type:**
us-types:perUnitItemType**Balance Type:**
na**Period Type:**
instant X- DefinitionThe average floor rate on a group of price risk derivatives such as floors or collars. A payment or receipt is triggered if the market rate falls below the floor rate on the contract.
+ ReferencesNo definition available.
+ Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFloorPrice**Namespace Prefix:**
us-gaap_**Data Type:**
us-types:perUnitItemType**Balance Type:**
na**Period Type:**
instant X- DefinitionThe average strike price on the group of price risk option contracts such as put options or call options.
+ ReferencesNo definition available.
+ Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeAveragePriceRiskOptionStrikePrice**Namespace Prefix:**
us-gaap_**Data Type:**
us-types:perUnitItemType**Balance Type:**
na**Period Type:**
instant X- DefinitionLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.
+ ReferencesNo definition available.
+ Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**
us-gaap_**Data Type:**
xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**
na**Period Type:**
duration X- DefinitionAverage fixed price related to the group of price risk swap derivatives.
+ ReferencesNo definition available.
+ Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeSwapTypeAverageFixedPrice**Namespace Prefix:**
us-gaap_**Data Type:**
us-types:perUnitItemType**Balance Type:**
na**Period Type:**
instant X- DefinitionReference to the index or unit of measurement for the underlying which establishes the pricing terms of the derivative instrument. For example, the basis on the underlying for a natural gas futures contract might be the NYMEX price per million British thermal units (MMBtu).
+ ReferencesNo definition available.
+ Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeUnderlyingBasis**Namespace Prefix:**
us-gaap_**Data Type:**
xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**
na**Period Type:**
duration X- Details**Name:**
nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis=nbl_CrudeOilCommodityContractMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsNymexWti2015Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_TwoWayCollarsNYMEXWTI2015Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsDatedBrent2015Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNymexWti2015Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_ThreeWayCollarsDatedBrent2015Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsDatedBrent2016Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNYMEXWTI2016Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_ThreeWayCollarsDatedBrent2016Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_CallNYMEXWTI2017Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_TwoWayCollarsNYMEXHH2016Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis=nbl_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsNymexHh2015Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNymexHh2015Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsNYMEXHH2016Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_ThreeWayCollarsNYMEXHH2016Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsNYMEXHHExtensionMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsNYMEXHHIncreaseMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=nbl_RosettaResourcesIncMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsNYMEXWTI2016Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
nbl_DerivativeByRiskAxis=nbl_NGLCommodityContractMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsNGLEthaneMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsNGLPropaneMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsNGLIsobutaneMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsNGLNormalButaneMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsNGLPentanesPlusMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsHoustonShipChannelandTennesseeZone02015Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_TwoWayCollarsHoustonShipChannelandTennesseeZone02015Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_SwapsHoustonShipChannelandTennesseeZone02016MemberMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_TwoWayCollarsHoustonShipChannelandTennesseeZone02016Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
nbl_DerivativecontracttermAxis=nbl_Firsthalf2016Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
nbl_DerivativecontracttermAxis=nbl_Secondhalf2016Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** X- Details**Name:**
us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis=nbl_CallNYMEXWTI2016Member**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**
na**Balance Type:****Period Type:**