Information about Noble-Cayman - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	$ 1,762,351	$ 1,778,208	$ 1,702,317
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from disposal of assets	4,614		61,000
Net cash from investing activities	(432,537)	(2,109,268)	(2,485,107)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities	(1,123,495)	(437,647)	1,221,333
Repayment of long-term debt	(350,000)	(250,000)	(300,000)
Issuance of senior notes	1,092,728
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities	(16,070)	(398)	(2,484)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(71,504)	(79,966)	(105,388)
Net cash from financing activities	(886,079)	285,112	615,156
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	443,735	(45,948)	(167,634)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	68,510	114,458	282,092
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	512,245	68,510	114,458
Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		1,710,550
Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		(14,676)
Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-off		(104,152)
Noble-Cayman [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	(31,562)	2,825,524	(117,993)
Cash flows from investing activities
Notes receivable from affiliates	124,951	50
Net cash from investing activities	124,951	50
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities	(1,123,495)	(437,647)	1,221,333
Repayment of long-term debt			(300,000)
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities	(6,450)	(398)	(2,484)
Distributions to parent company, net	(400,614)	(631,095)	(265,880)
Advances (to) from affiliates	2,047,563	(1,482,686)	(241,180)
Notes payable to affiliates	(608,771)	(273,744)	(294,798)
Net cash from financing activities	(91,767)	(2,825,570)	116,991
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	1,622	4	(1,002)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	5	1	1,003
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,627	5	1
NHC [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	(53,686)	(151,987)	(133,595)
Cash flows from financing activities
Advances (to) from affiliates	53,686	151,987	133,595
Net cash from financing activities	53,686	151,987	133,595
NDH [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	15,207	366,583	424,147
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(116,594)	(1,404,560)	(1,594,449)
Net cash from investing activities	(116,594)	(1,404,560)	(1,594,449)
Cash flows from financing activities
Advances (to) from affiliates	103,234	1,037,829	1,169,800
Net cash from financing activities	103,234	1,037,829	1,169,800
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	1,847	(148)	(502)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	254	402	904
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,101	254	402
NHIL [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	(267,735)	(232,605)	(128,315)
Cash flows from investing activities
Notes receivable from affiliates	608,771	273,744
Net cash from investing activities	608,771	273,744
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of long-term debt	(350,000)	(250,000)
Issuance of senior notes	1,092,728
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities	(9,620)
Advances (to) from affiliates	(1,074,144)	208,857	128,317
Net cash from financing activities	(341,036)	(41,143)	128,317
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(4)	2
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		4	2
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period			4
NDS6 [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	(20,292)	(31,788)	1,523,225
Cash flows from financing activities
Advances (to) from affiliates	20,292	31,788	(1,523,225)
Net cash from financing activities	20,292	31,788	(1,523,225)
Other Non-guarantor Subsidiaries of Noble [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	2,105,575	(903,811)	201,161
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(320,557)	(704,574)	(949,755)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	4,614		61,000
Notes receivable from affiliates			294,798
Net cash from investing activities	(315,943)	(704,574)	(593,957)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(71,504)	(79,966)	(105,388)
Advances (to) from affiliates	(1,150,631)	52,225	332,693
Notes payable to affiliates	(124,951)	(50)
Net cash from financing activities	(1,347,086)	1,563,931	227,305
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	442,546	(44,454)	(165,491)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	65,521	109,975	275,466
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	508,067	65,521	109,975
Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		1,710,550
Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		(14,676)
Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-off		(104,152)
Noble Corp [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	1,747,507	1,871,916	1,768,630
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(437,151)	(2,109,134)	(2,544,204)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	4,614		61,000
Net cash from investing activities	(432,537)	(2,109,134)	(2,483,204)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities	(1,123,495)	(437,647)	1,221,333
Repayment of long-term debt	(350,000)	(250,000)	(300,000)
Issuance of senior notes	1,092,728
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities	(16,070)	(398)	(2,484)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(71,504)	(79,966)	(105,388)
Distributions to parent company, net	(400,614)	(631,095)	(265,880)
Net cash from financing activities	(868,955)	192,616	547,581
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	446,015	(44,602)	(166,993)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	65,780	110,382	277,375
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	511,795	65,780	110,382
Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		1,710,550
Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		(14,676)
Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-off		(104,152)
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities
Notes receivable from affiliates	(733,722)	(273,794)	(294,798)
Net cash from investing activities	(733,722)	(273,794)	(294,798)
Cash flows from financing activities
Notes payable to affiliates	733,722	273,794	294,798
Net cash from financing activities	$ 733,722	$ 273,794	$ 294,798