Name:	nbl_CapitalizedExploratoryWellCostsCapitalizedMoreThanOneYearSuspendedSinceYear2008AndPrior
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The amount of exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period of greater than one year after the completion of drilling and suspended since year 2009.

No definition available.

Name:	nbl_CapitalizedExploratoryWellCostsCapitalizedMoreThanOneYearSuspendedSinceYear2009
Namespace Prefix:	nbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The amount of exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period of greater than one year after the completion of drilling and suspended since year 2010.

No definition available.

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For projects with capitalized exploratory costs, disclosures of expected exploratory well drilling and other descriptions.

No definition available.

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Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs that were added during the reporting period pending the determination of proved reserves.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph a

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Capitalized exploratory well costs that were expensed during the year because proved reserves were not found at the exploratory well.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph a

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The amount of capitalized exploratory well costs that is pending the determination of proved reserves. This should not include amounts that were capitalized and subsequently expensed in the same annual period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph a

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedExploratoryWellCostsAbstract
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The amount of exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period of greater than one year after the completion of drilling.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph b

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The amount of exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period of greater than less than one year after the completion of drilling.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph b

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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The number of projects for which exploratory well costs have been capitalized for a period of greater than one year after the completion of drilling.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph b

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Previously capitalized costs of the drilling of wells that were reclassified as part of the costs of the enterprise's wells and related equipment and facilities at the time that proved reserves were found.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph a