Name:	nbl_DeferredCompensationArrangementMutualFundInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	nbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of assets held in a Rabbi Trust related to deferred compensation agreements.

No definition available.

Name:	nbl_TotalRabbiTrustPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix:	nbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Value of common stock issued to a trust (for example, a 'rabbi trust') set up specifically to accumulate stock for the sole purpose of distribution to participating employees. This trust does not allow employees to immediately or after a holding period diversify into nonemployer securities. The deferred compensation plan for which this trust is set up must be settled by the delivery of a fixed number of shares of employer stock.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 710
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 16
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75028277&loc=d3e19833-108362

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

Number of common stock held in a trust that has been set up specifically to accumulate stock for the sole purpose of distribution to participating employees but not yet earned.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 40
-Section 25
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109244457&loc=d3e16701-113920

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

- References

No definition available.

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

Amount of the liabilities for deferred compensation arrangements classified as other.

No definition available.