| **Marcellus Shale Firm Transportation Commitments - Rollforward of Accrued Transportation Commitment (Details) - Marcellus Shale Firm Transportation and Other Obligations (1) - USD ($) $ in Millions** | 12 Months Ended |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
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| **Rollforward Of Contractual Obligations [Roll Forward]**                                                                                                                                                |            |   |
| Balance at Beginning of Period                                                                                                                                                                           | $ 90            | $ 0 |
| Marcellus Exit Cost Accrual                                                                                                                                                                              | 0               | 93 |
| Payments, Net of Accretion                                                                                                                                                                               | (10)            | (3) |
| Balance at End of Period                                                                                                                                                                                 | 80              | 90 |
| Other Current Liabilities                                                                                                                                                                                |            |   |
| **Rollforward Of Contractual Obligations [Roll Forward]**                                                                                                                                                |            |   |
| Balance at Beginning of Period                                                                                                                                                                           | 14              |   |
| Balance at End of Period                                                                                                                                                                                 | 13              | 14 |
| Other Noncurrent Liabilities                                                                                                                                                                             |            |   |
| **Rollforward Of Contractual Obligations [Roll Forward]**                                                                                                                                                |            |   |
| Balance at Beginning of Period                                                                                                                                                                           | 76              |   |
| Balance at End of Period                                                                                                                                                                                 | $ 67            | $ 76 |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Firm Transportation Commitment
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**nbl_FirmTransportationCommitment**Namespace Prefix:**nbl_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Accrual
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**nbl_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentAccrual**Namespace Prefix:**nbl_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Settlement
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**nbl_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentSettlement**Namespace Prefix:**nbl_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Rollforward Of Contractual Obligations [Roll Forward]
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**nbl_RollforwardOfContractualObligationsRollForward**Namespace Prefix:**nbl_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis=nbl_MarcellusShaleFirmTransportationAgreementMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |