-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 StK1MkgQkYe7rnr4evux7/yT8K6pqSfLL6fxAXl7E6VKFMtXzCatR/bdDoQ0X2fQ
 gp6o5/Z+7aqnhFcLCU9hng==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-05-016983.txt : 20050315
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-05-016983.hdr.sgml : 20050315
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050315195530
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-05-016983
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050311
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050315
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050315

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001021860
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OIL & GAS FILED MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT [3533]
		IRS NUMBER:				760475815
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10000 RICHMOND AVENUE
		STREET 2:		4TH FLOOR
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77042-4200
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7133467500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10000 RICHMOND AVENUE
		STREET 2:		4TH FLOOR
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77042-4200

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NATIONAL OILWELL INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960829

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SMISEK JEFFREY A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001193038

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12317
		FILM NUMBER:		05683157

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1600 SMITH DEPT HQSEO
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7133241996

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1600 SMITH STREET
		STREET 2:		HQSEO
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd72211.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3  SMISEK NOV
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-03-11</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001021860</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NOV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001193038</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SMISEK JEFFREY A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2000 WEST SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY SOUTH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1700</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77042</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James F. Maroney III, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-03-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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