<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2020-04-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000072207</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NOBLE ENERGY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NBL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001188449</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CAWLEY MICHAEL A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1001 NOBLE ENERGY WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77070</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>The Reporting Person retired from the Board of Directors of Noble Energy, Inc. (the &quot;Company&quot;), effective April 28, 2020, because of age, in accordance with the mandatory retirement provisions of the By-Laws of the Company. This Form 4 is being filed solely as a voluntary exit Form 4 indicating that no further reporting will be required of the Reporting Person.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Rachel Clingman, attorney-in-fact for Michael A. Cawley</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2020-05-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
