Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NOBLE ENERGY INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000072207
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$ 16.5
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	428,554,158
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015