Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 68,510	$ 114,458
Accounts receivable	569,096	949,069
Taxes receivable	107,490	140,269
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	183,466	187,139
Total current assets	928,562	1,390,935
Property and equipment, at cost	14,442,922	19,198,767
Accumulated depreciation	(2,330,413)	(4,640,677)
Property and equipment, net	12,112,509	14,558,090
Other assets	245,751	268,932
Total assets	13,286,822	16,217,957
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	265,389	347,214
Accrued payroll and related costs	102,520	151,161
Taxes payable	94,230	125,119
Dividends payable		128,249
Other current liabilities	206,535	300,172
Total current liabilities	668,674	1,051,915
Long-term debt	4,869,020	5,556,251
Deferred income taxes	120,589	225,455
Other liabilities	341,505	334,308
Total liabilities	5,999,788	7,167,929
Equity
Shares	2,475	2,534
Additional paid-in capital	695,638	810,286
Retained earnings	5,936,035	7,591,927
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(69,418)	(82,164)
Total shareholders' equity	6,564,730	8,322,583
Noncontrolling interests	722,304	727,445
Total equity	7,287,034	9,050,028
Total liabilities and equity	13,286,822	16,217,957
Noble-Cayman [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	65,780	110,382
Accounts receivable	569,096	949,069
Taxes receivable	107,289	140,029
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	139,669	184,348
Total current assets	881,834	1,383,828
Property and equipment, at cost	14,404,371	19,160,350
Accumulated depreciation	(2,318,220)	(4,631,678)
Property and equipment, net	12,086,151	14,528,672
Other assets	222,254	269,014
Total assets	13,190,239	16,181,514
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	261,012	345,910
Accrued payroll and related costs	91,487	143,346
Taxes payable	91,471	120,588
Other current liabilities	201,914	300,172
Total current liabilities	645,884	910,016
Long-term debt	4,869,020	5,556,251
Deferred income taxes	120,589	225,455
Other liabilities	335,964	334,308
Total liabilities	5,971,457	7,026,030
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Shares	26,125	26,125
Capital in excess of par value	530,657	497,316
Retained earnings	6,009,114	7,986,762
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(69,418)	(82,164)
Total shareholders' equity	6,496,478	8,428,039
Noncontrolling interests	722,304	727,445
Total equity	7,218,782	9,155,484
Total liabilities and equity	$ 13,190,239	$ 16,181,514