Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Operating revenues
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 275,526	$ 279,408	$ 851,350	$ 772,934
Operating costs and expenses
Depreciation and amortization	112,755	113,868	333,481	372,304
General and administrative	17,565	14,722	149,816	58,522
Loss on impairment	595,510	0	595,510	792,843
Total operating costs and expenses	915,538	301,251	1,633,884	1,697,263
Operating loss	(640,012)	(21,843)	(782,534)	(924,329)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(68,991)	(73,725)	(208,211)	(223,870)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, net	(650)	109	30,616	(8,659)
Interest income and other, net	(144)	2,610	4,222	6,814
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(709,797)	(92,849)	(955,907)	(1,150,044)
Income tax benefit	2,845	14,491	37,162	50,334
Net loss from continuing operations	(706,952)	(78,358)	(918,745)	(1,099,710)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	(3,821)	0
Net loss	(706,952)	(78,358)	(922,566)	(1,099,710)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	262,081	(3,233)	254,846	247,722
Net income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation	(444,871)	(81,591)	(667,720)	(851,988)
Net loss from continuing operations	(444,871)	(81,591)	(663,899)	(851,988)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ (3,821)	$ 0
Basic:
Loss from continuing operations (usd per share)	$ (1.79)	$ (0.33)	$ (2.66)	$ (3.46)
Loss from discontinued operations (usd per share)	0	0	(0.02)	0
Net loss attributable to Noble Corporation plc (usd per share)	(1.79)	(0.33)	(2.68)	(3.46)
Diluted:
Loss from continuing operations (usd per share)	(1.79)	(0.33)	(2.66)	(3.46)
Loss from discontinued operations (usd per share)	0	0	(0.02)	0
Net loss attributable to Noble Corporation plc (usd per share)	$ (1.79)	$ (0.33)	$ (2.68)	$ (3.46)
Noble Corp
Operating revenues
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 275,526	$ 279,408	$ 851,350	$ 772,934
Operating costs and expenses
Depreciation and amortization	112,175	113,127	331,485	368,939
General and administrative	8,832	8,672	25,099	30,250
Loss on impairment	595,510	0	595,510	792,843
Total operating costs and expenses	905,859	294,276	1,505,520	1,664,311
Operating loss	(630,333)	(14,868)	(654,170)	(891,377)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(68,991)	(73,725)	(208,211)	(223,870)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, net	(650)	109	30,616	(8,659)
Interest income and other, net	(149)	2,610	4,217	6,807
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(700,123)	(85,874)	(827,548)	(1,117,099)
Income tax benefit	2,845	14,490	37,162	50,227
Net loss from continuing operations	(697,278)	(71,384)	(790,386)	(1,066,872)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	(3,821)	0
Net loss	(697,278)	(71,384)	(794,207)	(1,066,872)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	262,081	(3,233)	254,846	247,722
Net income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation	(435,197)	(74,617)	(539,361)	(819,150)
Contract drilling services
Operating revenues
Revenue from contract with customer	259,428	267,238	804,746	744,033
Operating costs and expenses
Cost of services	175,929	162,985	516,522	451,271
Contract drilling services | Noble Corp
Operating revenues
Revenue from contract with customer	259,428	267,238	804,746	744,033
Operating costs and expenses
Cost of services	175,563	162,801	514,871	449,956
Reimbursables and other
Operating revenues
Revenue from contract with customer	16,098	12,170	46,604	28,901
Operating costs and expenses
Cost of services	13,779	9,676	38,555	22,323
Reimbursables and other | Noble Corp
Operating revenues
Revenue from contract with customer	16,098	12,170	46,604	28,901
Operating costs and expenses
Cost of services	$ 13,779	$ 9,676	$ 38,555	$ 22,323