| **Merger, Acquisitions, and Divestitures Merger, Acquisitions and Divestitures - Merger (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions** |            | 12 Months Ended |         |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-----------------|---------|
||
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                                            |       |            |    |   |
| Shares of Noble Energy common stock issued to Rosetta shareholders                                                                               |       | 41,048,240      | 0       |   |
| Goodwill at End of Year (2)                                                                                                                      |       | $ 0             | $ 620   | $ 627 |
| **Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]**                                                                                       |       |            |    |   |
| Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue                                                                                                          |       | 3,428           | 6,112   |   |
| Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)                                                                                                |       | $ (2,393)       | $ 1,607 |   |
| Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic                                                                                        |       | $ (5.64)        | $ 4.01  |   |
| Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted                                                                                      |       | $ (5.64)        | $ 3.94  |   |
| Rosetta Resources, Inc                                                                                                                           |       |            |    |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                                            |       |            |    |   |
| Shares of Noble Energy common stock issued to Rosetta shareholders                                                                               | 41,000,000 |            |    |   |
| Noble Energy common stock price on July 20, 2015 (in dollars per share)                                                                          | $ 36.97    |            |    |   |
| Fair value of common stock issued                                                                                                                | $ 1,518    |            |    |   |
| Plus: fair value of Rosetta's restricted stock awards and performance awards assumed                                                             | 10         |            |    |   |
| Plus: Rosetta stock options assumed                                                                                                              | 1          |            |    |   |
| Total purchase price                                                                                                                             | 1,529      |            |    |   |
| Accounts Payable                                                                                                                                 | 100        |            |    |   |
| Current Liabilities                                                                                                                              | 37         |            |    |   |
| Long-Term Deferred Tax Liability                                                                                                                 | 8          |            |    |   |
| Long-Term Debt                                                                                                                                   | 1,992      |            |    |   |
| Other Long Term Liabilities                                                                                                                      | 23         |            |    |   |
| Asset Retirement Obligation                                                                                                                      | 27         |            |    |   |
| Total purchase price plus liabilities assumed                                                                                                    | 3,716      |            |    |   |
| Cash and Equivalents                                                                                                                             | 61         |            |    |   |
| Other Current Assets                                                                                                                             | 76         |            |    |   |
| Derivative Instruments                                                                                                                           | 209        |            |    |   |
| Proved Properties                                                                                                                                | 1,613      |            |    |   |
| Undeveloped Leaseholds                                                                                                                           | 1,355      |            |    |   |
| Gathering and Processing Assets                                                                                                                  | 207        |            |    |   |
| Asset Retirement Obligation                                                                                                                      | 27         |            |    |   |
| Other Property Plant and Equipment                                                                                                               | 5          |            |    |   |
| Goodwill at End of Year (2)                                                                                                                      | 163        |            |    |   |
| Total Asset Value                                                                                                                                | $ 3,716    |            |    |   |

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Number of shares of equity interests issued or issuable to acquire entity.
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