Earnings per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share for Noble-UK (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ 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
Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations									$ 511,000	$ (152,011)	$ 478,595
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards									(11,208)		(5,669)
Income (loss) from continuing operations to common shareholders									499,792	(152,011)	472,926
Income from discontinued operations										160,502	304,102
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards											(3,602)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax to common shareholders										160,502	300,500
Net income attributable to Noble-UK									511,000	8,491	782,697
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards									(11,208)		(9,271)
Net income to common shareholders—basic									499,792	8,491	773,426
Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations									511,000	(152,011)	478,595
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards									(11,208)		(5,663)
Income (loss) from continuing operations to common shareholders									499,792	(152,011)	472,932
Income from discontinued operations										160,502	304,102
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards											(3,598)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax to common shareholders										160,502	300,504
Net income 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
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards									(11,208)		(9,261)
Net income to common shareholders—diluted									$ 499,792	$ 8,491	$ 773,436
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic									242,146	252,909	253,288
Incremental shares issuable from assumed exercise of stock options											259
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted									242,146	252,909	253,547
Weighted average unvested share-based payment awards									5,430		3,036
Basic
Continuing operations									$ 2.06	$ (0.60)	$ 1.86
Discontinued operations										0.63	1.19
Net income attributable to Noble-UK	$ (0.63)	$ 1.32	$ 0.64	$ 0.72	$ (2.38)	$ 0.57	$ 0.54	$ 0.60	2.06	0.03	3.05
Diluted
Continuing operations									2.06	(0.60)	1.86
Discontinued operations										0.63	1.19
Net income attributable to Noble-UK	$ (0.63)	$ 1.32	$ 0.64	$ 0.72	$ (2.38)	$ 0.57	$ 0.54	$ 0.60	2.06	0.03	3.05
Dividends per share									$ 1.28	$ 1.50	$ 0.76