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Gain on Contract Settlements/Extinguishments, net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2009
Additional Expenditures by Other Contractual Commitments [Line Items]        
Net gain recognized on contract settlements/ extinguishments, net line $ 28us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements      
FDR Holdings, Ltd. [Member]        
Additional Expenditures by Other Contractual Commitments [Line Items]        
Net gain recognized on contract settlements/ extinguishments, net line   45us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ne_FdrHoldingsLtdMember
   
Settlement amount allocated to discontinued operations   14us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ne_FdrHoldingsLtdMember
   
Noble David Tinsley [Member]        
Additional Expenditures by Other Contractual Commitments [Line Items]        
Net gain recognized on contract settlements/ extinguishments, net line     5us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ne_NobleDavidTinsleyMember
 
Incident charge       $ 17ne_InvoluntaryConversionCharge
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ne_NobleDavidTinsleyMember