Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ (493,927)	$ (857,873)	$ 583,201
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	547,990	611,067	634,305
Loss on impairment	121,639	1,458,749	418,298
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net	0	(17,814)	0
Deferred income taxes	241,326	(189,897)	(36,172)
Amortization of share-based compensation	29,115	34,720	39,172
Other long-term asset write-off	29,032	0	0
Net change in other assets and liabilities	(21,237)	87,124	126,103
Net cash provided by operating activities	453,938	1,126,076	1,764,907
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(111,140)	(659,925)	(422,544)
Change in accrued capital expenditures	(46,830)	(34,814)	(14,607)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	2,382	24,808	4,614
Net cash used in investing activities	(155,588)	(669,931)	(432,537)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities	0	0	(1,123,495)
Issuance of senior notes	0	980,100	1,092,728
Repayments of debt	(300,000)	(1,049,338)	(350,000)
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facility	(42)	(12,111)	(16,070)
Dividend payments	0	(47,534)	(315,534)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(56,881)	(85,944)	(71,504)
Repurchases of shares	0	0	(100,630)
Tender offer premium	0	(24,649)	0
Employee stock transactions	(4,320)	(3,192)	(4,130)
Net cash used in financing activities	(361,243)	(242,668)	(888,635)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(62,893)	213,477	443,735
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	725,722	512,245	68,510
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	662,829	725,722	512,245
Noble Corp
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	(451,732)	(828,007)	607,012
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	543,119	611,013	633,244
Loss on impairment	121,639	1,458,749	418,298
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net	0	(17,814)	0
Deferred income taxes	241,326	(189,897)	(34,108)
Capital contribution by parent - share-based compensation	29,046	32,782	30,652
Other long-term asset write-off	29,030	0	0
Net change in other assets and liabilities	(20,091)	89,445	92,409
Net cash provided by operating activities	492,337	1,156,271	1,747,507
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(111,140)	(659,925)	(422,544)
Change in accrued capital expenditures	(46,830)	(34,814)	(14,607)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	2,382	24,808	4,614
Net cash used in investing activities	(155,588)	(669,931)	(432,537)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities	0	0	(1,123,495)
Issuance of senior notes	0	980,100	1,092,728
Repayments of debt	(300,000)	(1,049,338)	(350,000)
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facility	(42)	(12,111)	(16,070)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(56,881)	(85,944)	(71,504)
Tender offer premium	0	(24,649)	0
Contributions (distributions) from (to) parent company, net	28,352
Contributions (distributions) from (to) parent company, net		(152,360)	(400,614)
Net cash used in financing activities	(328,571)	(344,302)	(868,955)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	8,178	142,038	446,015
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	653,833	511,795	65,780
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 662,011	$ 653,833	$ 511,795