[Line Items] for Change in Stockholder Equity Due to Shareholder Amendment [Table]

No definition available.

Name:	nbl_ChangeinStockholderEquityDuetoShareholderAmendmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	nbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 30
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The remaining balance of debt issuance expenses that were capitalized and are being amortized against income over the lives of the respective bond issues. This does not include the amounts capitalized as part of the cost of the utility plant or asset.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=nbl_CommonStockAuthorizedpriortoCertificateofIncorporationAmendmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=nbl_CommonStockAuthorizedafterCertificateofIncorporationAmendmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Change in Stockholder Equity Due to Shareholder Amendment [Line Items]
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000,000		500,000,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ 12		$ 15
Common Stock Authorized prior to Certificate of Incorporation Amendment
Change in Stockholder Equity Due to Shareholder Amendment [Line Items]
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	500,000,000
Common Stock Authorized after Certificate of Incorporation Amendment
Change in Stockholder Equity Due to Shareholder Amendment [Line Items]
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)		1,000,000,000