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Stock-Based and Other Compensation Plans (Details 2) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Stock option activity [Rollforward]      
Exercised (in shares) (1,459,490)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised (1,892,962)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised  
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Compensation Expense $ (25)us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpense [1] $ 26us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpense [1] $ 6us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpense [1]
Stock Option [Member]      
Assumptions used to value stock option awards [Abstract]      
Expected term (in years) 5 years 10 months 24 days 5 years 8 months 5 years 8 months
Expected volatility (in hundredths) 35.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
36.40%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
37.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
Risk-free rate (in hundredths) 1.80%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
1.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
0.90%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
Expected dividend yield (in hundredths) 1.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
1.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
1.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share) $ 20.31us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
$ 17.08us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
$ 15.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
Stock option activity [Rollforward]      
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) 12,677,857us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
Granted (in shares) 2,186,232us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
Exercised (in shares) (1,459,490)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
Forfeited (in shares) (396,277)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 13,008,322us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
12,677,857us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
 
Exercisable (in shares) 8,993,726us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
Stock option activity, additional disclosures [Abstract]      
Weighted average exercise price per share outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share) $ 39.82us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share granted (in dollars per share) $ 62.61us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share exercised (in dollars per share) $ 32.39us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share forfeited (in dollars per share) $ 56.47us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 43.98us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
$ 39.82us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
 
Weighted average exercise price per exercisable share (in dollars per share) $ 37.20us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
Weighted average remaining contractual term of shares outstanding (in years) 5 years 10 months 24 days    
Aggregate intrinsic value of shares outstanding 97us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
Weighted average remaining contractual term, exercisable shares (in years) 4 years 9 months 18 days    
Aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable shares 97us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]      
Minimum term to maturity on US Treasuries used to determine the risk free rate assumption in valuing stock options 5 years    
Maximum term to maturity on US Treasuries used to determine the risk free rate assumption in valuing stock options 7 years    
The period ended, prior to the date of grant, over which an average of daily stock prices is computed in determining the dividend yield 3 years    
Duration of Dividends 1 year    
Total intrinsic value of options exercised 58us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
64us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
72us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards 39us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
   
The weighted-average period over which unrecognized compensation cost is to be recognized (in years) 1 year 3 months 18 days    
Restricted Stock [Member]      
Assumptions used to value stock option awards [Abstract]      
Expected volatility (in hundredths) 30.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
30.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
 
Risk-free rate (in hundredths) 0.70%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
0.40%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
 
Restricted stock awards, shares subject to service conditions, additional disclosures [Abstract]      
Weighted average award date fair value, shares awarded (in dollars per share) $ 41.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
$ 38.07us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
$ 50.75us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]      
The period ended, prior to the date of grant, over which an average of daily stock prices is computed in determining the dividend yield 3 years    
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards 38us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
   
The weighted-average period over which unrecognized compensation cost is to be recognized (in years) 1 year 4 months 24 days    
Weighted average award date fair value, shares awarded (in dollars per share) $ 41.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
$ 38.07us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
$ 50.75us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
Total fair value of vested restricted stock $ 50us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
$ 43us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
$ 47us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
Stock Option And Restricted Stock Plan 1992 [Member]      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]      
Maximum number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance After April 26, 2011 (in shares) 71,600,000nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanMaximumNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockOptionAndRestrictedStockPlan1992Member
   
Number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance (in shares) 32,962,380us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockOptionAndRestrictedStockPlan1992Member
   
Shares of common stock available for future grants and awards (in shares) 14,380,862us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockOptionAndRestrictedStockPlan1992Member
   
Expiration period (in years) 10 years    
Stock option vesting period 3 years    
Percentage of restricted stock awards that time-vest one year from date of grant (in hundredths) 20.00%nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanRestrictedStockAwardsVestingRightsYearOne
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockOptionAndRestrictedStockPlan1992Member
   
Additional percentage of restricted stock awards that time-vest two years from date of grant (in hundredths) 30.00%nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanRestrictedStockAwardsVestingRightsYearTwo
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockOptionAndRestrictedStockPlan1992Member
   
Remaining percentage of restricted stock awards that time-vest three years from date of grant (in hundredths) 50.00%nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanRestrictedStockAwardsVestingRightsAfterYearThree
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockOptionAndRestrictedStockPlan1992Member
   
Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors 2005 [Member]      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]      
Maximum number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance After April 26, 2011 (in shares) 1,600,000nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanMaximumNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockPlanForNonemployeeDirectors2005Member
   
Number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance (in shares) 1,359,832us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockPlanForNonemployeeDirectors2005Member
   
Shares of common stock available for future grants and awards (in shares) 843,285us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockPlanForNonemployeeDirectors2005Member
   
Expiration period (in years) 10 years    
Stock option vesting period 1 year    
The maximum number of stock options authorized for annual and discretionary grants per non-employee director (in shares) 22,400nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanStockOptionsAuthorizedForAnnualAndDiscretionaryGrantsPerDirector
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockPlanForNonemployeeDirectors2005Member
   
The number of stock options authorized for annual grants per non-employee director (in shares) 2,800nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanStockOptionsAuthorizedForAnnualGrantPerDirector
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockPlanForNonemployeeDirectors2005Member
   
The maximum number of shares of restricted stock authorized for annual and discretionary grants per non-employee director (in shares) 9,600nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanRestrictedStockAwardsAuthorizedForAnnualAndDiscretionaryGrantsPerDirector
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockPlanForNonemployeeDirectors2005Member
   
The number of shares of restricted stock authorized for annual grants per non-employee director (in shares) 1,200nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanRestrictedStockAwardsAuthorizedForAnnualGrantPerDirector
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockPlanForNonemployeeDirectors2005Member
   
Stock Plan For Nonemployee Directors 2005, Prior to March 17, 2011 [Member]      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]      
The maximum number of stock options authorized for annual and discretionary grants per non-employee director (in shares) 11,200nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanStockOptionsAuthorizedForAnnualAndDiscretionaryGrantsPerDirector
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockPlanForNonemployeeDirectors2005PriortoMarch172011Member
   
The maximum number of shares of restricted stock authorized for annual and discretionary grants per non-employee director (in shares) 4,800nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanRestrictedStockAwardsAuthorizedForAnnualAndDiscretionaryGrantsPerDirector
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockPlanForNonemployeeDirectors2005PriortoMarch172011Member
   
Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors 1988 [Member]      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]      
Shares of common stock available for future grants and awards (in shares) 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_NonqualifiedStockOptionPlanForNonemployeeDirectors1988Member
   
Expiration period (in years) 10 years    
Stock option vesting period 1 year    
The number of stock options authorized for annual grants per non-employee director (in shares) 10,000nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanStockOptionsAuthorizedForAnnualGrantPerDirector
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_NonqualifiedStockOptionPlanForNonemployeeDirectors1988Member
   
The number of stock options granted during the first calendar year of service (in shares) 20,000nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanOptionsAuthorizedForGrantFirstYearOfServicePerDirector
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_NonqualifiedStockOptionPlanForNonemployeeDirectors1988Member
   
Subject to Time Vesting [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]      
Restricted Stock Awards Activity [Roll Forward]      
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) 1,487,869us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoTimeVestingMember
   
Awarded (in shares) 441,647us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoTimeVestingMember
   
Vested (in shares) (796,877)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoTimeVestingMember
   
Forfeited (in shares) (83,839)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoTimeVestingMember
   
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 1,048,800us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoTimeVestingMember
   
Restricted stock awards, shares subject to service conditions, additional disclosures [Abstract]      
Weighted average award date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 50.74us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoTimeVestingMember
   
Weighted average award date fair value, shares awarded (in dollars per share) $ 62.87us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoTimeVestingMember
   
Weighted average award date fair value, shares vested (in dollars per share) $ 49.30us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoTimeVestingMember
   
Weighted average award date fair value, shares forfeited (in dollars per share) $ 55.27us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoTimeVestingMember
   
Weighted average award date fair value, end of period (in dollars per share) $ 55.68us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoTimeVestingMember
   
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]      
Weighted average award date fair value, shares awarded (in dollars per share) $ 62.87us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoTimeVestingMember
   
Subject to Market Conditions [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]      
Restricted Stock Awards Activity [Roll Forward]      
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) 848,026us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoMarketConditionsMember
   
Awarded (in shares) 797,792us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoMarketConditionsMember
   
Vested (in shares) 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoMarketConditionsMember
   
Forfeited (in shares) (127,482)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoMarketConditionsMember
   
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 1,518,336us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoMarketConditionsMember
   
Restricted stock awards, shares subject to service conditions, additional disclosures [Abstract]      
Weighted average award date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 28.93us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoMarketConditionsMember
   
Weighted average award date fair value, shares awarded (in dollars per share) $ 29.24us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoMarketConditionsMember
   
Weighted average award date fair value, shares vested (in dollars per share) $ 0.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoMarketConditionsMember
   
Weighted average award date fair value, shares forfeited (in dollars per share) $ 29.08us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoMarketConditionsMember
   
Weighted average award date fair value, end of period (in dollars per share) $ 29.10us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoMarketConditionsMember
   
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]      
Weighted average award date fair value, shares awarded (in dollars per share) $ 29.24us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SubjecttoMarketConditionsMember
   
Second Vesting Option [Member] | Stock Option And Restricted Stock Plan 1992 [Member]      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]      
Stock option vesting period 2 years    
Percentage of restricted stock awards that time-vest one year from date of grant (in hundredths) 40.00%nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanRestrictedStockAwardsVestingRightsYearOne
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockOptionAndRestrictedStockPlan1992Member
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SecondVestingOptionMember
   
Additional percentage of restricted stock awards that time-vest two years from date of grant (in hundredths) 60.00%nbl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentPlanRestrictedStockAwardsVestingRightsYearTwo
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= nbl_StockOptionAndRestrictedStockPlan1992Member
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= nbl_SecondVestingOptionMember
   
[1] Amounts represent increases (decreases) in the fair value of shares of our common stock held in a rabbi trust.