Spin-off of Paragon Offshore plc ("Paragon Offshore") - Additional Information (Detail) (Paragon Offshore [Member], USD $) In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Paragon Offshore [Member]
Schedule Of Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Long-term debt issued		$ 1.7
Pro rata distribution	Our shareholders received one share of Paragon Offshore for every three shares of Noble owned as of July 23, 2014, the record date for the distribution.
Minimum shares eligible for prorata allotment under spin off transaction	3
Shares received under spin off transaction	1