| **Document And Entity Information (USD $)In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified** | 9 Months Ended          |             |        |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|-------------|--------|
||
| Entity Registrant Name                                                                                | NOBLE ENERGY INC        |        |   |
| Entity Central Index Key                                                                              | 0000072207              |        |   |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date                                                                          | --12-31                 |        |   |
| Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer                                                                     | Yes                     |        |   |
| Entity Voluntary Filers                                                                               | No                      |        |   |
| Entity Current Reporting Status                                                                       | Yes                     |        |   |
| Entity Filer Category                                                                                 | Large Accelerated Filer |        |   |
| Entity Public Float                                                                                   |                    |        | $ 15.1 |
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding                                                               |                    | 177,890,973 |   |
| Document Fiscal Year Focus                                                                            | 2012                    |        |   |
| Document Fiscal Period Focus                                                                          | Q3                      |        |   |
| Document Type                                                                                         | 10-Q                    |        |   |
| Amendment Flag                                                                                        | false                   |        |   |
| Document Period End Date                                                                              | Sep. 30,         2012   |        |   |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
If the value is true, then the document is an amendment to previously-filed/accepted document.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_AmendmentFlag**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:booleanItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
End date of current fiscal year in the format --MM-DD.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:gMonthDayItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This is focus fiscal period of the document report. For a first quarter 2006 quarterly report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, the first fiscal quarter should be given as the fiscal period focus. Values: FY, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, H1, H2, M9, T1, T2, T3, M8, CY.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:fiscalPeriodItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This is focus fiscal year of the document report in CCYY format. For a 2006 annual report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, fiscal 2006 should be given as the fiscal year focus. Example: 2006.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:gYearItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements containing historical data, it is the date up through which that historical data is presented.  If there is no historical data in the report, use the filing date. The format of the date is CCYY-MM-DD.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:dateItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word "Other".
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_DocumentType**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:submissionTypeItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation 12B -Number 240 -Section 12b -Subsection 1
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityCentralIndexKey**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:centralIndexKeyItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Indicate number of shares or other units outstanding of each of registrant's classes of capital or common stock or other ownership interests, if and as stated on cover of related periodic report. Where multiple classes or units exist define each class/interest by adding class of stock items such as Common Class A [Member], Common Class B [Member] or Partnership Interest [Member] onto the Instrument [Domain] of the Entity Listings, Instrument.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:sharesItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Indicate "Yes" or "No" whether registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:yesNoItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Indicate whether the registrant is one of the following: (1) Large Accelerated Filer, (2) Accelerated Filer, (3) Non-accelerated Filer, (4) Smaller Reporting Company (Non-accelerated) or (5) Smaller Reporting Accelerated Filer. Definitions of these categories are stated in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityFilerCategory**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:filerCategoryItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
State aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to price at which the common equity was last sold, or average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter. The public float should be reported on the cover page of the registrants form 10K.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityPublicFloat**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation 12B -Number 240 -Section 12b -Subsection 1
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityRegistrantName**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:normalizedStringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Indicate "Yes" or "No" if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityVoluntaryFilers**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:yesNoItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Indicate "Yes" or "No" if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Is used on Form Type: 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, 20-F, 6-K, 10-K/A, 10-Q/A, 20-F/A, 6-K/A, N-CSR, N-Q, N-1A.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:yesNoItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |