| **Acquisitions and Divestitures - Pro Forma Information (Details) - Clayton Williams Energy - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions** | 12 Months Ended |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
||
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                                      |            |   |   |
| Revenues                                                                                                                                   | $ 4,986         | $ 4,304 | $ 3,651 |
| Net Loss Attributable to Noble Energy                                                                                                      | $ (66)          | $ (678) | $ (1,082) |
| **Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noble Energy per Common Share**                                                                        |            |   |   |
| Basic (in usd per share)                                                                                                                   | $ (0.14)        | $ (1.39) | $ (2.23) |
| Diluted (in usd per share)                                                                                                                 | $ (0.14)        | $ (1.39) | $ (2.23) |

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| - Definition
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The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
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The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
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The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
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The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.
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