Information about Noble-Cayman - Guarantor Obligations (Detail) (Noble-Cayman [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
3.45% Senior Notes due August 2015 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
3.05% Senior Notes due March 2016 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
2.50% Senior Notes due March 2017 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
7.50% Senior Notes due March 2019 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHC
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
4.90% Senior Notes due August 2020 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
4.625% Senior Notes due March 2021 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
3.95% Senior Notes due March 2022 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
6.20% Senior Notes due August 2040 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
6.05% Senior Notes due March 2041 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
5.25% Senior Notes due 2042 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman