Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services	$ 1,207,026	$ 2,242,200	$ 3,261,610
Reimbursables and other	29,889	59,865	90,642
Total operating revenues	1,236,915	2,302,065	3,352,252
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services	640,489	879,438	1,232,529
Reimbursables	18,435	45,499	70,276
Depreciation and amortization	547,990	611,067	634,305
General and administrative	71,634	69,258	76,843
Loss on impairment	121,639	1,458,749	418,298
Total operating costs and expenses	1,400,187	3,064,011	2,432,251
Operating income (loss)	(163,272)	(761,946)	920,001
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized	(291,989)	(222,915)	(213,854)
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net	0	17,814	0
Interest income and other, net	5,449	18	36,286
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(449,812)	(967,029)	742,433
Income tax benefit (provision)	(42,629)	109,156	(159,232)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(492,441)	(857,873)	583,201
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,486)	0	0
Net income (loss)	(493,927)	(857,873)	583,201
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(22,584)	(71,707)	(72,201)
Net income (loss) attributable to the company	(516,511)	(929,580)	511,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(515,025)	(929,580)	511,000
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,486)	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to the company	$ (516,511)	$ (929,580)	$ 511,000
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (usd per share)	$ (2.10)	$ (3.82)	$ 2.06
Loss from discontinued operations (usd per share)	(0.01)	0.00	0.00
Net income (loss) (usd per share)	(2.11)	(3.82)	2.06
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (usd per share)	(2.10)	(3.82)	2.06
Loss from discontinued operations (usd per share)	(0.01)	0.00	0.00
Net income (loss) (usd per share)	$ (2.11)	$ (3.82)	$ 2.06
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding
Basic (in shares)	244,743	243,127	242,146
Diluted (in shares)	244,743	243,127	247,402
Noble Corp
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services	$ 1,207,026	$ 2,242,200	$ 3,261,610
Reimbursables and other	29,889	60,565	90,842
Total operating revenues	1,236,915	2,302,765	3,352,452
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services	638,035	873,661	1,226,377
Reimbursables	18,435	45,499	70,276
Depreciation and amortization	543,119	611,013	633,244
General and administrative	41,087	46,045	55,435
Loss on impairment	121,639	1,458,749	418,298
Total operating costs and expenses	1,362,315	3,034,967	2,403,630
Operating income (loss)	(125,400)	(732,202)	948,822
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized	(291,989)	(222,915)	(213,854)
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net	0	17,814	0
Interest income and other, net	5,285	133	34,664
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(412,104)	(937,170)	769,632
Income tax benefit (provision)	(42,595)	109,163	(162,620)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(454,699)	(828,007)	607,012
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	2,967	0	0
Net income (loss)	(451,732)	(828,007)	607,012
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(22,584)	(71,707)	(72,201)
Net income (loss) attributable to the company	(474,316)	(899,714)	534,811
Net income (loss) attributable to the company	$ (474,316)	$ (899,714)	$ 534,811