Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ (857,873)	$ 583,201	$ 83,316
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	611,067	634,305	863,547
Loss on impairment	1,458,749	418,298	745,428
Gain on extinguishment of debt	(17,814)	0	0
Deferred income taxes	(189,897)	(36,172)	(10,999)
Amortization of share-based compensation	34,720	39,172	46,389
Net change in other assets and liabilities	89,330	123,547	50,527
Net cash from operating activities	1,128,282	1,762,351	1,778,208
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(659,925)	(422,544)	(2,072,885)
Change in accrued capital expenditures	(34,814)	(14,607)	(36,383)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	24,808	4,614	0
Net cash from investing activities	(669,931)	(432,537)	(2,109,268)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities	0	(1,123,495)	(437,647)
Repayment of long-term debt	(1,049,338)	(350,000)	(250,000)
Issuance of senior notes	980,100	1,092,728	0
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities	(12,111)	(16,070)	(398)
Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore	0	0	1,710,550
Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore	0	0	(14,676)
Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-off	0	0	(104,152)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(85,944)	(71,504)	(79,966)
Repurchases of shares	0	(100,630)	(154,145)
Tender offer premium	(24,649)	0	0
Employee stock transactions	(5,398)	(1,574)	2,125
Dividend payments	(47,534)	(315,534)	(386,579)
Net cash from financing activities	(244,874)	(886,079)	285,112
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	213,477	443,735	(45,948)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	512,245	68,510	114,458
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	725,722	512,245	68,510
Noble Corp [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	(828,007)	607,012	199,053
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	611,013	633,244	860,353
Loss on impairment	1,458,749	418,298	745,428
Gain on extinguishment of debt	(17,814)	0	0
Deferred income taxes	(189,897)	(34,108)	(10,999)
Capital contribution by parent—share-based compensation	32,782	30,652	33,341
Net change in other assets and liabilities	89,445	92,409	44,740
Net cash from operating activities	1,156,271	1,747,507	1,871,916
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(659,925)	(422,544)	(2,072,751)
Change in accrued capital expenditures	(34,814)	(14,607)	(36,383)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	24,808	4,614	0
Net cash from investing activities	(669,931)	(432,537)	(2,109,134)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities	0	(1,123,495)	(437,647)
Repayment of long-term debt	(1,049,338)	(350,000)	(250,000)
Issuance of senior notes	980,100	1,092,728	0
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities	(12,111)	(16,070)	(398)
Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore	0	0	1,710,550
Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore	0	0	(14,676)
Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-off	0	0	(104,152)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(85,944)	(71,504)	(79,966)
Tender offer premium	(24,649)	0	0
Distributions to parent company, net	(152,360)	(400,614)	(631,095)
Net cash from financing activities	(344,302)	(868,955)	192,616
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	142,038	446,015	(44,602)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	511,795	65,780	110,382
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 653,833	$ 511,795	$ 65,780