Information about Noble-Cayman - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	$ 174,801	$ 368,582
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from disposal of assets	3,031
Net cash from investing activities	(86,293)	(118,317)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities		(1,099,497)
Repayment of long-term debt	(300,000)
Issuance of senior notes		1,092,728
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities		(14,775)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(21,513)	(19,369)
Net cash from financing activities	(364,555)	(236,572)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(276,047)	13,693
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	512,245	68,510
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	236,198	82,203
Noble-Cayman [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	(8,420)	(27,097)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities		(1,099,497)
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities		(6,392)
Distributions to parent company, net	(56,316)	(186,597)
Advances (to) from affiliates	63,117	1,319,583
Net cash from financing activities	6,801	27,097
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(1,619)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,627	5
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	8	5
NHC [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	(12,190)	36,360
Cash flows from financing activities
Advances (to) from affiliates	12,190	(36,360)
Net cash from financing activities	12,190	(36,360)
NDH [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	20,809	33,705
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(14,575)	(27,344)
Net cash from investing activities	(14,575)	(27,344)
Cash flows from financing activities
Advances (to) from affiliates	(8,264)	(6,344)
Net cash from financing activities	(8,264)	(6,344)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(2,030)	17
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,101	254
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	71	271
NHIL [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	(120,093)	(102,007)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of long-term debt	(300,000)	1,092,728
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities		(8,383)
Advances (to) from affiliates	420,093	(982,338)
Net cash from financing activities	120,093	102,007
NDS6 [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	(7,988)	(8,568)
Cash flows from financing activities
Advances (to) from affiliates	7,988	8,568
Net cash from financing activities	7,988	8,568
Other Non-guarantor Subsidiaries of Noble [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	315,632	426,630
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(74,749)	(90,973)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	3,031
Net cash from investing activities	(71,718)	(90,973)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(21,513)	(19,369)
Advances (to) from affiliates	(495,124)	(303,109)
Net cash from financing activities	(516,637)	(322,478)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(272,723)	13,179
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	508,067	65,521
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	235,344	78,700
Noble Corp [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	187,750	359,023
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(89,324)	(118,317)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	3,031
Net cash from investing activities	(86,293)	(118,317)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities		(1,099,497)
Repayment of long-term debt	(300,000)	1,092,728
Issuance of senior notes		1,092,728
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities		(14,775)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(21,513)	(19,369)
Distributions to parent company, net	(56,316)	(186,597)
Net cash from financing activities	(377,829)	(227,510)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(276,372)	13,196
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	511,795	65,780
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 235,423	$ 78,976