| **Cover Page**                              | Feb. 12, 2020                 |
|---------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| **Cover page.**                             |                          |
| Document Type                               | 8-K                           |
| Document Period End Date                    | Feb. 12,  2020                |
| Entity Registrant Name                      | NOBLE ENERGY, INC.            |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE                            |
| Entity File Number                          | 001-07964                     |
| Entity Tax Identification Number            | 73-0785597                    |
| Entity Address, Address Line One            | 1001 Noble Energy Way         |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code             | 77070                         |
| Entity Address, City or Town                | Houston,                      |
| Written Communications                      | false                         |
| Soliciting Material                         | false                         |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer               | false                         |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer        | false                         |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company              | false                         |
| Trading Symbol                              | NBL                           |
| Title of 12(b) Security                     | Common Stock, $0.01 par value |
| Security Exchange Name                      | NASDAQ                        |
| Entity Central Index Key                    | 0000072207                    |
| Amendment Flag                              | false                         |
| Entity Address, State or Province           | TX                            |
| City Area Code                              | (281)                         |
| Local Phone Number                          | 872-3100                      |

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