Maximum incremental aggregate short-term loans and letters of credit capacity under the terms of a credit facility.

No definition available.

Name:	nbl_CreditFacilityAggregateShortTermLoansAndLettersOfCreditMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	nbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the fee for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility, maximum

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nbl_CreditFacilityFeeRateBasisPointsMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	nbl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the fee for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility, minimum

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nbl_CreditFacilityFeeRateBasisPointsMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	nbl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Adjustment maximum made to the stated Eurodollar rate to determine the effective rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nbl_CreditFacilityInterestRateEurodollarRatePlusMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	nbl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Adjustment minimum made to the stated Eurodollar rate to determine the effective rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nbl_CreditFacilityInterestRateEurodollarRatePlusMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	nbl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Credit facility aggregate short-term loans and letters of credit, committed

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nbl_Creditfacilityaggregateshorttermloansandlettersofcreditcommitted
Namespace Prefix:	nbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of capital lease obligation due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737

Reference 2: 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(19))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455314&loc=d3e45023-112735

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ 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(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt premium.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) from the difference between the repurchase price of a debt instrument initially issued by the entity and the net carrying amount of the debt at the time of its repurchase.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnRepurchaseOfDebtInstrument
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: 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(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligation due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of cash inflow from contractual arrangement with the lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3255-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- 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_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_TermLoanFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_SeniorNotesDueMarch12019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_SeniorNotesdueMay12021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_SeniorNotesDueDecember152021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_SeniorNotesdueJune12022Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_SeniorNotesdueJune12024Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_SeniorNotesDueNovember152024Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_SeniorNotesDueApril12027Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_SeniorNotesDueMarch12041Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_SeniorNotesDueNovember152043Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_SeniorNotesdueNovember152044Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_SeniorNotesDueAugust12097Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=nbl_CreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_FederalFundsEffectiveSwapRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Debt (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 06, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Aug. 27, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 7,979,000,000	$ 7,976,000,000
Unamortized Discount		(24,000,000)	(24,000,000)
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium		19,000,000	113,000,000
Total Debt, Net of Discount		7,936,000,000	8,029,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations, Current		(54,000,000)	(53,000,000)
Long-term Debt Due After One Year		$ 7,882,000,000	7,976,000,000
Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	$ 1,400,000,000		$ 0
Debt stated rate			0.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Jan. 06, 2019
Revolving Credit Facility, due August 27, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 0	$ 0
Debt stated rate		0.00%	0.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Aug. 27, 2020	Aug. 27, 2020
Revolving Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 4,000,000,000
Credit facility fee rate basis points, minimum				0.10%
Credit facility fee rate basis points, maximum				0.25%
Credit facility aggregate short-term loans and letters of credit, maximum				$ 500,000,000
Credit facility aggregate short-term loans and letters of credit, committed		450,000,000
Credit facility interest rate, Eurodollar rate plus, minimum				0.90%
Credit facility interest rate, Eurodollar rate plus, maximum				1.50%
Capital Lease and Other Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 390,000,000	$ 403,000,000
Debt stated rate		0.00%	0.00%
Capital Lease Obligations, Current		$ (54,000,000)	$ (53,000,000)
8.25% Senior Notes, due March 1, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 1,000,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000
Debt stated rate		8.25%	8.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Mar. 01, 2019	Mar. 01, 2019
5.625% Senior Notes, due May 1, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 379,000,000	$ 693,000,000
Debt stated rate		5.625%	5.625%
Debt instrument, maturity date		May 01, 2021	May 01, 2021
4.15% Senior Notes, due December 15, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 1,000,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000
Debt stated rate		4.15%	4.15%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Dec. 15, 2021	Dec. 15, 2021
5.875% Senior Notes, due June 1, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 18,000,000	$ 597,000,000
Debt stated rate		5.875%	5.875%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Jun. 01, 2022	Jun. 01, 2022
7.25% Senior Notes, due October 15, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 100,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Debt stated rate		7.25%	7.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Oct. 15, 2023	Oct. 15, 2023
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense		$ (38,000,000)	$ (36,000,000)
5.875% Senior Notes, due June 1, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 8,000,000	$ 499,000,000
Debt stated rate		5.875%	5.875%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Jun. 01, 2024	Jun. 01, 2024
3.90% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 650,000,000	$ 650,000,000
Debt stated rate		3.90%	3.90%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Nov. 15, 2024	Nov. 15, 2024
8.00% Senior Notes, due April 1, 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000
Debt stated rate		8.00%	8.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Apr. 01, 2027	Apr. 01, 2027
6.00% Senior Notes, due March 1, 2041
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 850,000,000	$ 850,000,000
Debt stated rate		6.00%	6.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Mar. 01, 2041	Mar. 01, 2041
5.25% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2043
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 1,000,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000
Debt stated rate		5.25%	5.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Nov. 15, 2043	Nov. 15, 2043
5.05% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2044
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 850,000,000	$ 850,000,000
Debt stated rate		5.05%	5.05%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Nov. 15, 2044	Nov. 15, 2044
7.25% Senior Debentures, due August 1, 2097
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		$ 84,000,000	$ 84,000,000
Debt stated rate		7.25%	7.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date		Aug. 01, 2097	Aug. 01, 2097
Revolving Credit Facility, due August 27, 2020 \| Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Lines of Credit		$ 1,380,000,000
Debt stated rate		1.69%
Credit facility fee rate basis points, minimum	0.10%
Credit facility fee rate basis points, maximum	0.75%
Debt Instrument, Term	3 years
Revolving Credit Facility, due August 27, 2020 \| Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member] \| Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility, due August 27, 2020 \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility interest rate, Eurodollar rate plus, minimum	1.00%
Credit facility interest rate, Eurodollar rate plus, maximum	1.75%
Debt instrument, variable rate	1.00%
Other Operating Income (Expense) [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility, due August 27, 2020 \| Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain on tendered offers		$ 80,000,000