Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, 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]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member] Noble-Cayman [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] Noble-Cayman [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 8,097,852	$ 8,073,633	$ 766,595	$ 26,125	$ 48,356	$ 450,616	$ 6,676,444	$ 6,979,882	$ (10,553)	$ 691,331	$ 691,331	$ (74,321)	$ (74,321)
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011			252,639,000	261,246,000
Employee related equity activity
Amortization of share-based compensation	35,930				35,930
Issuance of share-based compensation shares	8		1,307		(1,299)
Issuance of share-based compensation shares, Shares			437,000
Exercise of stock options	13,541		1,836		11,705
Exercise of stock options, Shares	645,731		646,000
Tax benefit of equity transactions	1,128				1,128
Restricted shares forfeited or repurchased for taxes	(10,516)		(1,138)		1,138				(10,516)
Restricted shares forfeited or repurchased for taxes, Shares			374,000
Net income	556,137	614,716					522,344	580,923		33,793	33,793
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	40,000									40,000
Par value reduction/dividend payments	(71,897)		(58,470)		(13,427)
Distributions to parent	(132,765)	(175,977)					(132,765)	(175,977)
Capital contributions by parent-Share-based compensation		19,838				19,838
Contributions from noncontrolling interests		40,000									40,000
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	(41,128)	(41,128)										(41,128)	(41,128)
Ending 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)	765,124	765,124	(115,449)	(115,449)
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012			253,348,000	261,246,000
Employee related equity activity
Amortization of share-based compensation	43,620				43,620
Issuance of share-based compensation shares	17		1,872		(1,855)
Issuance of share-based compensation shares, Shares			667,000
Exercise of stock options	5,651		496		5,155
Exercise of stock options, Shares	212,017		212,000
Tax benefit of equity transactions	(1,407)				(1,407)
Restricted shares forfeited or repurchased for taxes	(7,653)								(7,653)
Restricted shares forfeited or repurchased for taxes, Shares
Retirement of treasury shares					(28,722)				28,722
Retirement of treasury shares, Shares
Redomiciliation to the United Kingdom			(709,964)		709,964
Redomiciliation to the United Kingdom, Shares			(779,000)
Net income	850,406	935,523					782,697	867,814		67,709	67,709
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(105,388)	(105,388)								(105,388)	(105,388)
Distributions to parent	(256,793)	(265,880)					(256,793)	(265,880)
Capital contributions by parent-Share-based compensation		26,862				26,862
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	33,285	33,285										33,285	33,285
Ending 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		727,445	727,445	(82,164)	(82,164)
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013			253,448,000	261,246,000
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	253,448,000	261,246,000
Employee related equity activity
Amortization of share-based compensation	46,389				46,389
Issuance of share-based compensation shares	(9,070)		6		(9,076)
Issuance of share-based compensation shares, Shares			692,000
Exercise of stock options	2,647		3		2,644
Exercise of stock options, Shares	131,706		131,000
Tax benefit of equity transactions	(528)				(528)
Restricted shares forfeited or repurchased for taxes	(154,145)
Repurchases of shares	(154,145)		(68)		(154,077)
Repurchases of shares, Shares			(6,770,000)
Net income	83,316	199,053					8,491	124,228		74,825	74,825
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(79,966)	(79,966)								(79,966)	(79,966)
Distributions to parent	(258,330)	(631,095)					(258,330)	(631,095)
Capital contributions by parent-Share-based compensation		33,341				33,341
Spin-off of Paragon Offshore	(1,371,575)	(1,436,303)					(1,406,053)	(1,470,781)				34,478	34,478
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	(21,732)	(21,732)										(21,732)	(21,732)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 7,287,034	$ 7,218,782	$ 2,475	$ 26,125	$ 695,638	$ 530,657	$ 5,936,035	$ 6,009,114		$ 722,304	$ 722,304	$ (69,418)	$ (69,418)
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014			247,501,000	261,246,000