| **Acquisitions and Divestitures - Pro Forma Information (Details) - Clayton Williams Energy - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions** | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|
||
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                                      |           |           |   |   |
| Revenues                                                                                                                                   | $ 1,273        | $ 960          | $ 3,789 | $ 3,102 |
| Net Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noble Energy                                                             | $ 227          | $ (133)        | $ 758 | $ (1,561) |
| **Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noble Energy per Common Share**                                                                        |           |           |   |   |
| Basic (in usd per share)                                                                                                                   | $ 0.47         | $ (0.27)       | $ 1.57 | $ (3.21) |
| Diluted (in usd per share)                                                                                                                 | $ 0.47         | $ (0.27)       | $ 1.56 | $ (3.21) |

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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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This element represents the amount of earnings or loss of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the consolidated income statement for the reporting period.
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