Unaudited Interim Financial Data - Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 857,684	$ 896,671	$ 793,555	$ 804,342	$ 804,740	$ 828,796	$ 803,781	$ 795,187	$ 3,352,252	$ 3,232,504	$ 2,538,143
Operating income (loss)	(49,480)	409,973	275,149	284,359	(541,864)	243,633	235,205	248,968	920,001	185,942	740,537
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK	$ (152,241)	$ 325,807	$ 159,031	$ 178,403	$ (594,539)	$ 147,389	$ 140,325	$ 154,814	$ 511,000	$ 8,491	$ 782,697
Net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK
Basic	$ (0.63)	$ 1.32	$ 0.64	$ 0.72	$ (2.38)	$ 0.57	$ 0.54	$ 0.60	$ 2.06	$ 0.03	$ 3.05
Diluted	$ (0.63)	$ 1.32	$ 0.64	$ 0.72	$ (2.38)	$ 0.57	$ 0.54	$ 0.60	$ 2.06	$ 0.03	$ 3.05