Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
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	428,843,495
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015