Merger, Acquisitions, and Divestitures Merger, Acquisitions and Divestitures - Merger (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 20, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Stock issued (shares)			0	41,048,240
Goodwill				$ 0	$ 620,000,000
Gain to other operating expense		$ 25,000,000	$ 25,000,000
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue			3,491,000,000	3,478,000,000	6,126,000,000
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)			$ (998,000,000)	$ (2,393,000,000)	$ 1,607,000,000
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic			$ (2.32)	$ (5.64)	$ 4.01
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted			$ (2.32)	$ (5.64)	$ 3.94
Rosetta Resources, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Stock issued (shares)	41,000,000
Noble Energy common stock price on July 20, 2015 (in dollars per share)	$ 36.97
Fair value of common stock issued	$ 1,518,000,000
Plus: fair value of Rosetta's restricted stock awards and performance awards assumed	10,000,000
Plus: Rosetta stock options assumed	1,000,000
Total purchase price	1,529,000,000
Accounts Payable	100,000,000
Current Liabilities	37,000,000
Long-Term Debt	1,992,000,000
Other Long Term Liabilities	23,000,000
Asset Retirement Obligation	27,000,000
Total purchase price plus liabilities assumed	3,708,000,000
Cash and Equivalents	61,000,000
Other Current Assets	76,000,000
Derivative Instruments	209,000,000
Proved Properties	1,613,000,000
Undeveloped Leaseholds	1,355,000,000
Gathering and Processing Assets	207,000,000
Asset Retirement Obligation	27,000,000
Other Property Plant and Equipment	5,000,000
Long Term Deferred Tax Asset	17,000,000
Goodwill	138,000,000			$ 163,000,000
Total Asset Value	$ 3,708,000,000