Additional amount of Senior unsecured notes issued by the entity.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of the borrowing capacity as determined semi-annually based upon the company's financial performance and/or assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Minimum current ratio to be complied as per the covenant terms.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Minimum current ratio to be complied as per the no greater covenant terms.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	nog_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Minimum current ratio to be complied as per interest expense defined.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	nog_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of days in default payment of interest under the debt covenant agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	nog_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of days related to payment of certain final judgments under the debt covenant agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	nog_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of payment of certain final judgments under the debt covenant agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nog_PaymentOfCertainFinalJudgments
Namespace Prefix:	nog_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The rate of redemption price of notes that can be redeemed by the entity beginning on June 1, 2018.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	nog_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The rate of redemption price of notes that can be redeemed by the entity beginning on June 1, 2016.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	nog_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The rate of redemption price of notes that can be redeemed by the entity beginning on June 1, 2017.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nog_PercentageOfNotesAtRedemptionPricesForTwelveMonthPeriodBeginningOnJune12017
Namespace Prefix:	nog_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Entity issued additional senior unsecured notes.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	nog_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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

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

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
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-Section 45
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+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ 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(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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

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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of loans payable (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from the issuance of long-term debt that is not secured by collateral. Excludes proceeds from tax exempt unsecured debt.

+ 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

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3255-108585

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

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- Details

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- Details

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LONG TERM DEBT (Details)	12 Months Ended
LONG TERM DEBT (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	May 18, 2015 USD ($)	May 13, 2013 USD ($)	May 18, 2012 USD ($)
8% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Percentage of notes at redemption prices for the twelve-month period beginning on June 1, 2016	104.00%
Percentage of notes at redemption prices for the twelve-month period beginning on June 1, 2017	102.00%
Percentage of notes at redemption prices for beginning on June 1, 2018	100.00%
Number of days in default payment of interest	30 days
Payment of certain final judgments	$ 25,000,000.0
Number of days related to payment certain final judgments	60 days
8% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member] \| The "Original Notes" [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Principal amount of senior unsecured notes				$ 300,000,000.0
Interest rate percentage				8.00%
Maturity date	Jun. 01, 2020
Net proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes	$ 291,200,000
8% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member] \| The "2013 Follow-on Notes" [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate percentage			8.00%
Maturity date	Jun. 01, 2020
Price of senior unsecured notes			105.25%
Additional amount of senior unsecured notes			$ 200,000,000.0
Net proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes	$ 200,100,000
8% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member] \| The "2015 Mirror Notes" [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate percentage		8.00%
Maturity date	Jun. 01, 2020
Price of senior unsecured notes		95.00%
Additional amount of senior unsecured notes		$ 200,000,000.0
Net proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes	$ 184,900,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing	750,000,000.0
Borrowing base	350,000,000
Borrowings under Credit Facility	144,000,000
Remaining borrowing capacity of Credit Facility	206,000,000
Loans issued under revolving credit facility	$ 144,000,000
Weighted average interest rate	3.02%
Line of credit facility covenant terms current ratio	1.0
Line of credit facility ratio of debt to EBITDAX	2.5
Line of credit facility ratio of EBITDAX to interest expense	1.75
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage	0.375%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage	0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate margin in effect during period	2.25%
Commitment fee percentage	0.375%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate margin in effect during period	2.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate margin in effect during period	3.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Alternate Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate margin in effect during period	1.25%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Alternate Base Rate [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate margin in effect during period	1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Alternate Base Rate [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate margin in effect during period	2.00%