Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Noble-Cayman [Member]	Shares [Member]	Shares [Member] Noble-Cayman [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member] Noble-Cayman [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member] Noble-Cayman [Member]	Treasury Shares [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] Noble-Cayman [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member] Noble-Cayman [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 8,488,290	$ 8,531,082	$ 710,130	$ 26,125	$ 83,531	$ 470,454	$ 7,066,023	$ 7,384,828	$ (21,069)	$ (115,449)	$ (115,449)	$ 765,124	$ 765,124
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012			253,348	261,246
Employee related equity activity
Amortization of share-based compensation	33,471				33,471
Issuance of share-based compensation shares	17		1,851		(1,834)
Issuance of share-based compensation shares, Shares			659
Exercise of stock options	4,200		440		3,760
Exercise of stock options, Shares			158
Tax benefit of stock options exercised	(1,470)				(1,470)
Restricted shares forfeited or repurchased for taxes	(7,558)								(7,558)
Net income	661,498	728,880					608,637	676,019				52,861	52,861
Capital contributions by parent - share-based compensation		18,604				18,604
Dividends	(256,770)	(187,610)					(256,770)	(187,610)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(69,728)	(69,728)										(69,728)	(69,728)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	4,866	4,866								4,866	4,866
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	8,856,816	9,026,094	712,421	26,125	117,458	489,058	7,417,890	7,873,237	(28,627)	(110,583)	(110,583)	748,257	748,257
Ending Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2013			254,165	261,246
Beginning Balance at Jun. 30, 2013
Employee related equity activity
Net income	300,459	329,356
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	5,846	5,846
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	8,856,816	9,026,094		26,125
Ending Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2013				261,246
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	9,050,028	9,155,484	2,534	26,125	810,286	497,316	7,591,927	7,986,762		(82,164)	(82,164)	727,445	727,445
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	253,448	261,246	253,448	261,246
Employee related equity activity
Amortization of share-based compensation	37,432				37,432
Issuance of share-based compensation shares	(9,043)		6		(9,049)
Issuance of share-based compensation shares, Shares			689
Exercise of stock options	2,647		3		2,644
Exercise of stock options, Shares	131,706		131
Tax benefit of stock options exercised	(1,258)				(1,258)
Repurchases of shares	(52,701)		(20)		(52,681)
Repurchases of shares, Shares			(2,010)
Net income	678,350	784,078					618,060	723,788				60,290	60,290
Capital contributions by parent - share-based compensation		26,715				26,715
Dividends	(162,294)	(421,801)					(162,294)	(421,801)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(64,339)	(64,339)										(64,339)	(64,339)
Spin-Off of Paragon Offshore	(1,379,021)	(1,433,179)					(1,413,499)	(1,467,657)		34,478	34,478
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	1,918	1,918								1,918	1,918
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	8,101,719	8,048,876	2,523	26,125	787,374	524,031	6,634,194	6,821,092		(45,768)	(45,768)	723,396	723,396
Ending Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2014	252,258	261,246	252,258	261,246
Beginning Balance at Jun. 30, 2014
Employee related equity activity
Net income	147,646	193,705
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	(8,982)	(8,982)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 8,101,719	$ 8,048,876		$ 26,125
Ending Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2014	252,258	261,246		261,246