Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ (283,774)	$ 124,133
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	135,718	149,719
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net	(11,066)
Deferred income taxes	268,076	(22,513)
Amortization of share-based compensation	7,297	10,958
Net change in other assets and liabilities	14,556	(89,859)
Net cash provided by operating activities	141,873	172,438
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(18,716)	(51,357)
Change in accrued capital expenditures	(19,666)	(37,967)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	273	3,031
Net cash used in investing activities	(38,109)	(86,293)
Cash flows from financing activities
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facility	(42)	0
Repayment of long-term debt	(300,000)	(300,000)
Dividend payments	0	(37,546)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(5,393)	(21,513)
Taxes withheld on employee stock transactions	(4,280)	(3,133)
Net cash used in financing activities	(309,715)	(362,192)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(205,951)	(276,047)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	725,722	512,245
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	519,771	236,198
Noble Corp [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	(276,669)	135,669
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	135,718	149,673
Deferred income taxes	268,076	(22,513)
Capital contribution by parent - share-based compensation	7,265	9,119
Net change in other assets and liabilities	14,125	(84,198)
Net cash provided by operating activities	148,515	187,750
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(18,716)	(51,357)
Change in accrued capital expenditures	(19,666)	(37,967)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	273	3,031
Net cash used in investing activities	(38,109)	(86,293)
Cash flows from financing activities
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facility	(42)	0
Repayment of long-term debt	(300,000)	(300,000)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(5,393)	(21,513)
Contributions (distributions) from (to) parent company, net	60,164	(56,316)
Net cash used in financing activities	(245,271)	(377,829)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(134,865)	(276,372)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	653,833	511,795
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 518,968	$ 235,423