Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings per Share [Abstract]

Computation of basic and diluted net income per share for Noble-Swiss

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Allocation of income from continuing operations
Basic
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation	$	370,898		$	773,429		$	1,678,642
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards		(3,727	)		(7,497	)		(16,811	)
Net income to common shareholders — basic	$	367,171		$	765,932		$	1,661,831
Diluted
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation	$	370,898		$	773,429		$	1,678,642
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards		(3,719	)		(7,481	)		(16,758	)
Net income to common shareholders — diluted	$	367,179		$	765,948		$	1,661,884
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic		251,405			253,123			258,035
Incremental shares issuable from assumed exercise of stock options		584			813			856
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted		251,989			253,936			258,891
Weighted average unvested share-based payment awards		2,552			2,438			2,611
Earnings per share
Basic	$	1.46		$	3.03		$	6.44
Diluted	$	1.46		$	3.02		$	6.42