| **Additional Shareholders' Equity Information (Details) (USD $)In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified** | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
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||
| **Common stock shares issued [Rollforward]**                                                                                |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |   |   |
| Shares, beginning of period (in shares)                                                                                     | 399,841,717us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 396,697,484us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued |   |
| Exercise of common stock options (in shares)                                                                                | 1,459,490us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised                                                                                                                                                                         | 1,892,962us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised |   |
| Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)                                                                     | 1,028,118us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures                                                                                                                                                          | 1,251,271us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures |   |
| Shares, end of period (in shares)                                                                                           | 402,329,325us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 399,841,717us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued | 396,697,484us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued |
| **Treasury stock [Rollforward]**                                                                                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |   |   |
| Shares, beginning of period (in shares)                                                                                     | 37,600,051us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 37,550,752us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares |   |
| Shares received from employees in payment of withholding taxes due on vesting of shares of restricted stock (in shares)     | 254,888nbl_SharesReceivedFromEmployeesInPaymentOfTaxOnVestedRestrictedStock                                                                                                                                                                 | 250,307nbl_SharesReceivedFromEmployeesInPaymentOfTaxOnVestedRestrictedStock |   |
| Rabbi Trust Shares Distributed and/or Sold (in shares)                                                                      | (219,049)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesTreasuryStockReissued                                                                                                                                                                         | (201,008)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesTreasuryStockReissued |   |
| Shares, end of period (in shares)                                                                                           | 37,635,890us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 37,600,051us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares | 37,550,752us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares |
| **Components And Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]**                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |   |   |
| Beginning Balance                                                                                                           | $ (117)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax                                                                                                                                                                              | $ (113)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax | $ (100)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |
| Realized Amounts Reclassified Into Earnings                                                                                 | 12us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax                                                                                                                                               | 13us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax | 7us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax |
| Unrealized Change in Fair Value                                                                                             | 15us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax                                                                                                                                                | (17)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax | (20)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax |
| End Balance                                                                                                                 | (90)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax                                                                                                                                                                                 | (117)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax | (113)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |
| Effective income tax rate applied to AOCI (in hundredths)                                                                   | 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate                                                                                                                                                           | 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate | 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate |
| Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net                   | (23)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet                                                                                                                                        |   |   |
| Interest rate cash flow hedges [Member]                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |   |   |
| **Components And Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]**                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |   |   |
| Beginning Balance                                                                                                           | (24)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingInterestRateCashFlowHedgesMember                                  | (25)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingInterestRateCashFlowHedgesMember | (26)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingInterestRateCashFlowHedgesMember |
| Realized Amounts Reclassified Into Earnings                                                                                 | 1us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingInterestRateCashFlowHedgesMember | 1us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingInterestRateCashFlowHedgesMember | 1us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingInterestRateCashFlowHedgesMember |
| Unrealized Change in Fair Value                                                                                             | 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingInterestRateCashFlowHedgesMember  | 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingInterestRateCashFlowHedgesMember | 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingInterestRateCashFlowHedgesMember |
| End Balance                                                                                                                 | (23)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingInterestRateCashFlowHedgesMember                                  | (24)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingInterestRateCashFlowHedgesMember | (25)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingInterestRateCashFlowHedgesMember |
| Pension-related and other [Member]                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |   |   |
| **Components And Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]**                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |   |   |
| Beginning Balance                                                                                                           | (93)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetLossFromPensionRelatedAndOtherMember                                                                | (88)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetLossFromPensionRelatedAndOtherMember | (74)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetLossFromPensionRelatedAndOtherMember |
| Realized Amounts Reclassified Into Earnings                                                                                 | 11us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetLossFromPensionRelatedAndOtherMember                              | 12us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetLossFromPensionRelatedAndOtherMember | 6us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetLossFromPensionRelatedAndOtherMember |
| Unrealized Change in Fair Value                                                                                             | 15us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetLossFromPensionRelatedAndOtherMember                               | (17)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetLossFromPensionRelatedAndOtherMember | (20)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetLossFromPensionRelatedAndOtherMember |
| End Balance                                                                                                                 | $ (67)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetLossFromPensionRelatedAndOtherMember                                                              | $ (93)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetLossFromPensionRelatedAndOtherMember | $ (88)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax/ nbl_ComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis= nbl_AccumulatedNetLossFromPensionRelatedAndOtherMember |

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| - Definition
Number of shares, related to vested restricted stock awards, received from employees in payment of withholding taxes due. These shares, which are now held in treasury on the financial statement date, have no voting rights and are not entitled to dividends.
+ References
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| - Definition
Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.
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| - Definition
Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.
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| - Definition
The effective portion of net gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments.
+ References
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| - Definition
Percentage of domestic federal statutory tax rate applicable to pretax income (loss).
+ References
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| - Definition
Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income of accumulated gain (loss) realized from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's deferred hedging gain (loss).
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|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).
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| - Definition
Number of shares issued during the period related to Restricted Stock Awards, net of any shares forfeited.
+ References
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|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period.
+ References
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|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of treasury shares (units) reissued during the period, excluding reissuance of shares (units) held in treasury used to satisfy equity-based compensation obligations exercised by the holders of such rights. Upon reissuance of shares (units) from treasury, either the common or preferred stock (unit) reissued is outstanding.
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| - Definition
Number of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends.
+ References
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