Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services	$ 3,261,610	$ 3,147,859	$ 2,454,745
Reimbursables	90,642	84,644	66,292
Labor contract drilling services			17,095
Other		1	11
Total operating revenues	3,352,252	3,232,504	2,538,143
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services	1,232,529	1,500,512	1,168,764
Reimbursables	70,276	66,378	50,410
Labor contract drilling services			11,601
Depreciation and amortization	634,305	627,473	511,513
General and administrative	76,843	106,771	117,997
Loss on impairment	418,298	745,428	43,688
Loss on impairment, continuing operation			3,585
Gain on disposal of assets, net			(35,646)
Gain on contract settlements/extinguishments, net			(30,618)
Total operating costs and expenses	2,432,251	3,046,562	1,797,606
Operating income	920,001	185,942	740,537
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized	(213,854)	(155,179)	(106,300)
Interest income and other, net	36,286	(1,298)	4,184
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	742,433	29,465	638,421
Income tax provision	(159,232)	(106,651)	(92,117)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	583,201	(77,186)	546,304
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax		160,502	304,102
Net income	583,201	83,316	850,406
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(72,201)	(74,825)	(67,709)
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	511,000	8,491	782,697
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc
Income (loss) from continuing operations	511,000	(152,011)	478,595
Income from discontinued operations		160,502	304,102
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	$ 511,000	$ 8,491	$ 782,697
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 2.06	$ (0.60)	$ 1.86
Income from discontinued operations		0.63	1.19
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	2.06	0.03	3.05
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	2.06	(0.60)	1.86
Income from discontinued operations		0.63	1.19
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	$ 2.06	$ 0.03	$ 3.05
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding
Basic	242,146	252,909	253,288
Diluted	242,146	252,909	253,547
Noble Corp [Member]
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services	$ 3,261,610	$ 3,147,859	$ 2,454,745
Reimbursables	90,642	84,644	66,292
Labor contract drilling services			17,095
Revenue from affiliates	200
Other		1	11
Total operating revenues	3,352,452	3,232,504	2,538,143
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services	1,226,377	1,507,471	1,159,171
Reimbursables	70,276	66,378	50,410
Labor contract drilling services			11,601
Depreciation and amortization	633,244	624,278	509,341
General and administrative	55,435	52,994	64,859
Loss on impairment	418,298	745,428	43,688
Loss on impairment, continuing operation			3,585
Gain on disposal of assets, net			(35,646)
Gain on contract settlements/extinguishments, net			(30,618)
Total operating costs and expenses	2,403,630	2,996,549	1,732,703
Operating income	948,822	235,955	805,440
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized	(213,854)	(155,179)	(106,300)
Interest income and other, net	34,664	1,124	3,556
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	769,632	81,900	702,696
Income tax provision	(162,620)	(105,930)	(88,977)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	607,012	(24,030)	613,719
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax		223,083	321,804
Net income	607,012	199,053	935,523
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(72,201)	(74,825)	(67,709)
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	534,811	124,228	867,814
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	$ 534,811	$ 124,228	$ 867,814