Share Data - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share for Noble-UK (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Basic
Net income attributable to Noble-UK	$ 105,485	$ 178,403
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards	(3,822)	(3,931)
Net income to common shareholders - basic	101,663	174,472
Diluted
Net income attributable to Noble-UK	105,485	178,403
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards	(3,822)	(3,931)
Net income to common shareholders - diluted	$ 101,663	$ 174,472
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	242,826	242,685
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	242,826	242,685
Weighted average unvested share-based payment awards	9,129	5,468
Basic	$ 0.42	$ 0.72
Diluted	0.42	0.72
Dividends per share	$ 0.150	$ 0.375