Noble (NE) 10-K 25 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 12, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	NE
Entity Registrant Name	Noble Corp plc
Entity Central Index Key	1,458,891
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		243,202,568
Entity Public Float			$ 3.7
Noble Corp [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Noble Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	1,169,055
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		261,245,693

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 512,245	$ 68,510
Accounts receivable	498,931	569,096
Taxes receivable	55,525	107,490
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	173,917	183,466
Total current assets	1,240,618	928,562
Property and equipment, at cost	14,056,323	14,442,922
Accumulated depreciation	(2,572,700)	(2,330,413)
Property and equipment, net	11,483,623	12,112,509
Other assets	167,743	245,751
Total assets	12,891,984	13,286,822
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	299,997
Accounts payable	223,221	265,389
Accrued payroll and related costs	81,464	102,520
Taxes payable	87,940	94,230
Interest payable	72,961	61,964
Other current liabilities	98,074	144,571
Total current liabilities	863,657	668,674
Long-term debt	4,188,904	4,869,020
Deferred income taxes	92,797	120,589
Other liabilities	324,396	341,505
Total liabilities	$ 5,469,754	$ 5,999,788
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Shares	$ 2,420	$ 2,475
Additional paid-in capital	628,483	695,638
Retained earnings	6,131,501	5,936,035
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(63,175)	(69,418)
Total shareholders’ equity	6,699,229	6,564,730
Noncontrolling interests	723,001	722,304
Total equity	7,422,230	7,287,034
Total liabilities and equity	12,891,984	13,286,822
Noble Corp [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	511,795	65,780
Accounts receivable	498,931	569,096
Taxes receivable	55,442	107,289
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	168,469	139,669
Total current assets	1,234,637	881,834
Property and equipment, at cost	14,054,558	14,404,371
Accumulated depreciation	(2,572,331)	(2,318,220)
Property and equipment, net	11,482,227	12,086,151
Other assets	158,658	222,254
Total assets	12,875,522	13,190,239
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	299,997
Accounts payable	221,077	261,012
Accrued payroll and related costs	81,364	91,487
Taxes payable	88,108	91,471
Interest payable	72,961	61,964
Other current liabilities	96,331	139,950
Total current liabilities	859,838	645,884
Long-term debt	4,188,904	4,869,020
Deferred income taxes	92,797	120,589
Other liabilities	319,512	335,964
Total liabilities	$ 5,461,051	$ 5,971,457
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Shares	$ 26,125	$ 26,125
Additional paid-in capital	561,309	530,657
Retained earnings	6,167,211	6,009,114
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(63,175)	(69,418)
Total shareholders’ equity	6,691,470	6,496,478
Noncontrolling interests	723,001	722,304
Total equity	7,414,471	7,218,782
Total liabilities and equity	$ 12,875,522	$ 13,190,239

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - shares shares in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Ordinary shares, shares outstanding	241,977	247,501
Noble Corp [Member]
Ordinary shares, shares outstanding	261,246	261,246

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services	$ 3,261,610	$ 3,147,859	$ 2,454,745
Reimbursables	90,642	84,644	66,292
Labor contract drilling services			17,095
Other		1	11
Total operating revenues	3,352,252	3,232,504	2,538,143
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services	1,232,529	1,500,512	1,168,764
Reimbursables	70,276	66,378	50,410
Labor contract drilling services			11,601
Depreciation and amortization	634,305	627,473	511,513
General and administrative	76,843	106,771	117,997
Loss on impairment	418,298	745,428	43,688
Loss on impairment, continuing operation			3,585
Gain on disposal of assets, net			(35,646)
Gain on contract settlements/extinguishments, net			(30,618)
Total operating costs and expenses	2,432,251	3,046,562	1,797,606
Operating income	920,001	185,942	740,537
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized	(213,854)	(155,179)	(106,300)
Interest income and other, net	36,286	(1,298)	4,184
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	742,433	29,465	638,421
Income tax provision	(159,232)	(106,651)	(92,117)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	583,201	(77,186)	546,304
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax		160,502	304,102
Net income	583,201	83,316	850,406
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(72,201)	(74,825)	(67,709)
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	511,000	8,491	782,697
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc
Income (loss) from continuing operations	511,000	(152,011)	478,595
Income from discontinued operations		160,502	304,102
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	$ 511,000	$ 8,491	$ 782,697
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 2.06	$ (0.60)	$ 1.86
Income from discontinued operations		0.63	1.19
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	2.06	0.03	3.05
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	2.06	(0.60)	1.86
Income from discontinued operations		0.63	1.19
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	$ 2.06	$ 0.03	$ 3.05
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding
Basic	242,146	252,909	253,288
Diluted	242,146	252,909	253,547
Noble Corp [Member]
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services	$ 3,261,610	$ 3,147,859	$ 2,454,745
Reimbursables	90,642	84,644	66,292
Labor contract drilling services			17,095
Revenue from affiliates	200
Other		1	11
Total operating revenues	3,352,452	3,232,504	2,538,143
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services	1,226,377	1,507,471	1,159,171
Reimbursables	70,276	66,378	50,410
Labor contract drilling services			11,601
Depreciation and amortization	633,244	624,278	509,341
General and administrative	55,435	52,994	64,859
Loss on impairment	418,298	745,428	43,688
Loss on impairment, continuing operation			3,585
Gain on disposal of assets, net			(35,646)
Gain on contract settlements/extinguishments, net			(30,618)
Total operating costs and expenses	2,403,630	2,996,549	1,732,703
Operating income	948,822	235,955	805,440
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized	(213,854)	(155,179)	(106,300)
Interest income and other, net	34,664	1,124	3,556
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	769,632	81,900	702,696
Income tax provision	(162,620)	(105,930)	(88,977)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	607,012	(24,030)	613,719
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax		223,083	321,804
Net income	607,012	199,053	935,523
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(72,201)	(74,825)	(67,709)
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	534,811	124,228	867,814
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	$ 534,811	$ 124,228	$ 867,814

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net income	$ 583,201	$ 83,316	$ 850,406
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5,278)	(118)	(3,188)
Net pension plan gain (loss) (net of tax provision (benefit) of $4,021 in 2015, ($21,429) in 2014 and $14,155 in 2013 )	7,099	(41,608)	29,861
Amortization of deferred pension plan amounts (net of tax provision of $2,297 in 2015, $1,102 in 2014 and $2,924 in 2013)	4,422	2,764	6,612
Net pension plan curtailment and settlement expense (net of tax provision of $9,902 in 2014)		18,389
Prior service cost arising during the period (net of tax benefit of $317 in 2014)		(1,159)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	6,243	(21,732)	33,285
Total comprehensive income	589,444	61,584	883,691
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(72,201)	(74,825)	(67,709)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc	517,243	(13,241)	815,982
Noble Corp [Member]
Net income	607,012	199,053	935,523
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5,278)	(118)	(3,188)
Net pension plan gain (loss) (net of tax provision (benefit) of $4,021 in 2015, ($21,429) in 2014 and $14,155 in 2013 )	7,099	(41,608)	29,861
Amortization of deferred pension plan amounts (net of tax provision of $2,297 in 2015, $1,102 in 2014 and $2,924 in 2013)	4,422	2,764	6,612
Net pension plan curtailment and settlement expense (net of tax provision of $9,902 in 2014)		18,389
Prior service cost arising during the period (net of tax benefit of $317 in 2014)		(1,159)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	6,243	(21,732)	33,285
Total comprehensive income	613,255	177,321	968,808
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(72,201)	(74,825)	(67,709)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc	$ 541,054	$ 102,496	$ 901,099

Consolidated Statements of Com6

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net pension plan gain (loss), tax provision (benefit)	$ 4,021	$ (21,429)	$ 14,155
Amortization of deferred pension plan, tax provision	2,297	1,102	2,924
Net pension plan curtailment and settlement expense, tax provision		9,902
Prior service cost arising during the period, tax benefit		317
Noble Corp [Member]
Net pension plan gain (loss), tax provision (benefit)	4,021	(21,429)	14,155
Amortization of deferred pension plan, tax provision	$ 2,297	1,102	$ 2,924
Net pension plan curtailment and settlement expense, tax provision		9,902
Prior service cost arising during the period, tax benefit		$ 317

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 583,201	$ 83,316	$ 850,406
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	634,305	863,547	879,422
Loss on impairment	418,298	745,428	43,688
Gain on disposal of assets, net			(35,646)
Deferred income taxes	(36,172)	(10,999)	(15,955)
Amortization of share-based compensation	39,172	46,389	43,620
Net change in other assets and liabilities	123,547	50,527	(63,218)
Net cash from operating activities	1,762,351	1,778,208	1,702,317
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(422,544)	(2,072,885)	(2,487,520)
Change in accrued capital expenditures	(14,607)	(36,383)	(58,587)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	4,614		61,000
Net cash from investing activities	(432,537)	(2,109,268)	(2,485,107)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities	(1,123,495)	(437,647)	1,221,333
Repayment of long-term debt	(350,000)	(250,000)	(300,000)
Issuance of senior notes	1,092,728
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities	(16,070)	(398)	(2,484)
Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		1,710,550
Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		(14,676)
Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-off		(104,152)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(71,504)	(79,966)	(105,388)
Repurchases of shares	(100,630)	(154,145)
Repurchases of employee shares surrendered for taxes			(7,653)
Employee stock transactions	(1,574)	2,125	4,261
Dividend payments	(315,534)	(386,579)	(194,913)
Net cash from financing activities	(886,079)	285,112	615,156
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	443,735	(45,948)	(167,634)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	68,510	114,458	282,092
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	512,245	68,510	114,458
Noble Corp [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	607,012	199,053	935,523
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	633,244	860,353	877,250
Loss on impairment	418,298	745,428	43,688
Gain on disposal of assets, net			(35,646)
Deferred income taxes	(34,108)	(10,999)	(15,955)
Capital contribution by parent—share-based compensation	30,652	33,341	26,862
Net change in other assets and liabilities	92,409	44,740	(63,092)
Net cash from operating activities	1,747,507	1,871,916	1,768,630
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(422,544)	(2,072,751)	(2,485,617)
Change in accrued capital expenditures	(14,607)	(36,383)	(58,587)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	4,614		61,000
Net cash from investing activities	(432,537)	(2,109,134)	(2,483,204)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities	(1,123,495)	(437,647)	1,221,333
Repayment of long-term debt	(350,000)	(250,000)	(300,000)
Issuance of senior notes	1,092,728
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities	(16,070)	(398)	(2,484)
Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		1,710,550
Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		(14,676)
Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-off		(104,152)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(71,504)	(79,966)	(105,388)
Distributions to parent company, net	(400,614)	(631,095)	(265,880)
Net cash from financing activities	(868,955)	192,616	547,581
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	446,015	(44,602)	(166,993)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	65,780	110,382	277,375
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 511,795	$ 65,780	$ 110,382

Consolidated Statements of Equi

Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Noble Corp [Member]	Shares [Member]	Shares [Member]Noble Corp [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]Noble Corp [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]Noble Corp [Member]	Treasury Shares [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]Noble Corp [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]Noble Corp [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 8,488,290	$ 8,531,082	$ 710,130	$ 26,125	$ 83,531	$ 470,454	$ 7,066,023	$ 7,384,828	$ (21,069)	$ 765,124	$ 765,124	$ (115,449)	$ (115,449)
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012			253,348,000	261,246,000
Employee related equity activity
Amortization of share-based compensation	43,620				43,620
Issuance of share-based compensation shares	17		$ 1,872		(1,855)
Issuance of share-based compensation shares, Shares			667,000
Exercise of stock options	$ 5,651		$ 496		5,155
Exercise of stock options, Shares	212,017		212,000
Tax benefit of equity transactions	$ (1,407)				(1,407)
Restricted shares forfeited or repurchased for taxes	(7,653)								(7,653)
Retirement of treasury shares					(28,722)				$ 28,722
Redomiciliation to the United Kingdom			$ (709,964)		709,964
Redomiciliation to the United Kingdom, Shares			(779,000)
Net income	850,406	935,523					782,697	867,814		67,709	67,709
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(105,388)	(105,388)								(105,388)	(105,388)
Dividends	(256,793)	(265,880)					(256,793)	(265,880)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	33,285	33,285										33,285	33,285
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	9,050,028	9,155,484	$ 2,534	$ 26,125	810,286	497,316	7,591,927	7,986,762		727,445	727,445	(82,164)	(82,164)
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013			253,348,000	261,246,000
Employee related equity activity
Capital contributions by parent- Share-based compensation		26,862				26,862
Amortization of share-based compensation	46,389				46,389
Issuance of share-based compensation shares	(9,070)		$ 6		(9,076)
Issuance of share-based compensation shares, Shares			692,000
Exercise of stock options	$ 2,647		$ 3		2,644
Exercise of stock options, Shares	131,706		131,000
Tax benefit of equity transactions	$ (528)				(528)
Repurchases of shares	(154,145)		$ (68)		(154,077)
Repurchases of shares, Shares			(6,770,000)
Net income	83,316	199,053					8,491	124,228		74,825	74,825
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(79,966)	(79,966)								(79,966)	(79,966)
Dividends	(258,330)	(631,095)					(258,330)	(631,095)
Spin-off of Paragon Offshore	(1,371,575)	(1,436,303)					(1,406,053)	(1,470,781)				34,478	34,478
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	(21,732)	(21,732)										(21,732)	(21,732)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 7,287,034	$ 7,218,782	$ 2,475	$ 26,125	695,638	530,657	5,936,035	6,009,114		722,304	722,304	(69,418)	(69,418)
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014	247,501,000	261,246,000	247,501,000	261,246,000
Employee related equity activity
Capital contributions by parent- Share-based compensation		$ 33,341				33,341
Amortization of share-based compensation	$ 39,172				39,172
Issuance of share-based compensation shares	(4,171)		$ 7		(4,178)
Issuance of share-based compensation shares, Shares			685,000
Tax benefit of equity transactions	(1,581)				(1,581)
Repurchases of shares	$ (100,630)		$ (62)		(100,568)
Repurchases of shares, Shares	(6,200,000)		(6,209,000)
Net income	$ 583,201	607,012					511,000	534,811		72,201	72,201
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(71,504)	(71,504)								(71,504)	(71,504)
Dividends	(315,534)	(376,714)					(315,534)	(376,714)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	6,243	6,243										6,243	6,243
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 7,422,230	$ 7,414,471	$ 2,420	$ 26,125	$ 628,483	561,309	$ 6,131,501	$ 6,167,211		$ 723,001	$ 723,001	$ (63,175)	$ (63,175)
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015	241,977,000	261,246,000	241,977,000	261,246,000
Employee related equity activity
Capital contributions by parent- Share-based compensation		$ 30,652				$ 30,652

Organization and Significant Ac

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies	Note 1 - Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Organization and Business Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Noble-UK”), is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. We perform contract drilling services with our global fleet of mobile offshore drilling units. As of the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our fleet of 30 drilling rigs consisted of 14 jackups, eight drillships and eight semisubmersibles, including one high-specification, harsh environment jackup under construction. At December 31, 2015, our fleet was located in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, West Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Noble and its predecessors have been engaged in the contract drilling of oil and gas wells since 1921. On November 20, 2013, pursuant to the Merger Agreement dated as of June 30, 2013 between Noble Corporation, a Swiss corporation (“Noble-Swiss”), and Noble-UK, Noble-Swiss merged with and into Noble-UK, with Noble-UK as the surviving company (the “Transaction”). In the Transaction, all of the outstanding ordinary shares of Noble-Swiss were cancelled, and Noble-UK issued, through an exchange agent, one ordinary share of Noble-UK in exchange for each ordinary share of Noble-Swiss. The Transaction effectively changed the place of incorporation of our publicly traded parent holding company from Switzerland to the United Kingdom. Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands company (“Noble-Cayman”), is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Noble-UK, our publicly-traded parent company. Noble-UK’s principal asset is all of the shares of Noble-Cayman. Noble-Cayman has no public equity outstanding. The consolidated financial statements of Noble-UK include the accounts of Noble-Cayman, and Noble-UK conducts substantially all of its business through Noble-Cayman and its subsidiaries. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include our accounts, those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and entities in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of two joint ventures, in each of which we own a 50 percent interest. Our ownership interest meets the definition of variable interest under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) codification and we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Foreign Currency Translation Although we are a UK company, we define foreign currency as any non-U.S. denominated currency. In non-U.S. locations where the U.S. Dollar has been designated as the functional currency (based on an evaluation of factors including the markets in which the subsidiary operates, inflation, generation of cash flow, financing activities and intercompany arrangements), local currency transaction gains and losses are included in net income. In non-U.S. locations where the local currency is the functional currency, assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange on the balance sheet date, while income statement items are translated at average rates of exchange during the year. The resulting gains or losses arising from the translation of accounts from the functional currency to the U.S. Dollar are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We did not recognize any material gains or losses on foreign currency transactions or translations during the three years ended December 31, 2015. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits with banks and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are subject to potential credit risk, and certain of our cash accounts carry balances greater than the federally insured limits. Cash and cash equivalents are primarily held by major banks or investment firms. Our cash management and investment policies restrict investments to lower risk, highly liquid securities and we perform periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of the financial institutions with which we conduct business. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is stated at cost, reduced by provisions to recognize economic impairment in value whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. Major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When assets are sold, retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and the gain or loss is recognized. Drilling equipment and facilities are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as of the date placed in service or date of major refurbishment. Estimated useful lives of our drilling equipment range from three to thirty years. Other property and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over useful lives ranging from two to forty years. Included in accounts payable were $44 million and $70 million of capital accruals as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Interest is capitalized on construction-in-progress using the weighted average cost of debt outstanding during the period of construction. Scheduled maintenance of equipment is performed based on the number of hours operated in accordance with our preventative maintenance program. Routine repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred; however, the costs of the overhauls and asset replacement projects that benefit future periods and which typically occur every three to five years are capitalized when incurred and depreciated over an equivalent period. These overhauls and asset replacement projects are included in “Drilling equipment and facilities” in Note 7. Such amounts, net of accumulated depreciation, totaled $202 million and $179 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Depreciation expense from continuing operations related to overhauls and asset replacement totaled $75 million, $77 million and $70 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We evaluate the impairment of property and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In addition, on an annual basis, we complete an impairment analysis on our rig fleet. An impairment loss on our property and equipment exists when the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount. Any impairment loss recognized represents the excess of the asset’s carrying value over the estimated fair value. As part of this analysis, we make assumptions and estimates regarding future market conditions. To the extent actual results do not meet our estimated assumptions, for a given rig class, we may take an impairment loss in the future. For additional information, see Note 11. Deferred Costs Deferred debt issuance costs are being amortized through interest expense over the life of the debt securities. Revenue Recognition Our typical dayrate drilling contracts require our performance of a variety of services for a specified period of time. We determine progress towards completion of the contract by measuring efforts expended and the cost of services required to perform under a drilling contract, as the basis for our revenue recognition. Revenues generated from our dayrate-basis drilling contracts and labor contracts are recognized on a per day basis as services are performed and begin upon the contract commencement, as defined under the specified drilling or labor contract. Dayrate revenues are typically earned, and contract drilling expenses are typically incurred ratably over the term of our drilling contracts. We review and monitor our performance under our drilling contracts to confirm the basis for our revenue recognition. Revenues from bonuses are recognized when earned, and when collectability is reasonably assured. In our dayrate drilling contracts, we typically receive compensation and incur costs for mobilization, equipment modification or other activities prior to the commencement of a contract. Any such compensation may be paid through a lump-sum payment or other daily compensation. Pre-contract compensation and costs are deferred until the contract commences. The deferred pre-contract compensation and costs are amortized, using the straight-line method, into income over the term of the initial contract period, regardless of the activity taking place. This approach is consistent with the economics for which the parties have contracted. Once a contract commences, we may conduct various activities, including drilling and well bore related activities, rig maintenance and equipment installation, movement between well locations or other activities. Deferred revenues from drilling contracts totaled $180 million and $263 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Such amounts are included in either “Other current liabilities” or “Other liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon our expected time of recognition. Related expenses deferred under drilling contracts totaled $78 million at December 31, 2015 as compared to $94 million at December 31, 2014, and are included in either “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” or “Other assets” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon our expected time of recognition. In April 2015, we agreed to contract dayrate reductions for five rigs working for Saudi Arabian Oil Company (“Saudi Aramco”), which were effective from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015. However, given current market conditions and based on discussions with the customer, we do not expect the rates to return to the original contract rates. In accordance with accounting guidance, we are recognizing the reductions on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the existing Saudi Aramco contracts. At December 31, 2015, revenues recorded in excess of billings as a result of this recognition totaled $53 million, and are included in either “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” or “Other assets” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon our expected time of recognition. We record reimbursements from customers for “out-of-pocket” expenses as revenues and the related direct cost as operating expenses. Income Taxes Income taxes are based on the laws and rates in effect in the countries in which operations are conducted or in which we or our subsidiaries are considered resident for income tax purposes. In certain circumstances, we expect that, due to changing demands of the offshore drilling markets and the ability to redeploy our offshore drilling units, certain of such units will not reside in a location long enough to give rise to future tax consequences. As a result, no deferred tax asset or liability has been recognized in these circumstances. Should our expectations change regarding the length of time an offshore drilling unit will be used in a given location, we will adjust deferred taxes accordingly. We operate through various subsidiaries in numerous countries throughout the world, including the United States. Consequently, we are subject to changes in tax laws, treaties or regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof in the U.S., UK or jurisdictions in which we or any of our subsidiaries operate or are resident. Our income tax expense is based upon our interpretation of the tax laws in effect in various countries at the time that the expense was incurred. If the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or other taxing authorities do not agree with our assessment of the effects of such laws, treaties and regulations, this could have a material adverse effect on us including the imposition of a higher effective tax rate on our worldwide earnings or a reclassification of the tax impact of our significant corporate restructuring transactions. Insurance Reserves We maintain various levels of self-insured retention for certain losses including property damage, loss of hire, employment practices liability, employers’ liability and general liability, among others. We accrue for property damage and loss of hire charges on a per event basis. Employment practices liability claims are accrued based on actual claims during the year. Maritime employer’s liability claims are generally estimated using actuarial determinations. General liability claims are estimated by our internal claims department by evaluating the facts and circumstances of each claim (including incurred but not reported claims) and making estimates based upon historical experience with similar claims. At both December 31, 2015 and 2014, loss reserves for personal injury and protection claims totaled $21 million, and such amounts are included in “Other current liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Earnings per Share Our unvested share-based payment awards, which contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends, are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the “two-class” method. The “two-class” method allocates undistributed earnings between common shares and participating securities. The diluted earnings per share calculation under the “two-class” method also includes the dilutive effect of potential shares issued in connection with stock options. The dilutive effect of stock options is determined using the treasury stock method. Share-Based Compensation Plans We record the grant date fair value of share-based compensation arrangements as compensation cost using a straight-line method over the service period. Share-based compensation is expensed or capitalized based on the nature of the employee’s activities. Certain Significant Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Certain accounting policies involve judgments and uncertainties to such an extent that there is reasonable likelihood that materially different amounts could have been reported under different conditions, or if different assumptions had been used. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on a regular basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Accounting Pronouncements In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, which amends FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements” and ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment.” This ASU alters the definition of a discontinued operation to cover only asset disposals that are a strategic shift with a major effect on an entity’s operations and finances, and calls for more extensive disclosures about a discontinued operation’s assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The guidance is effective for all disposals, or classifications as held-for-sale, of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. This standard was not early adopted in connection with the Spin-off. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which creates ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” including most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. In addition, ASU 2014-09 supersedes the cost guidance in Subtopic 605-35, “Revenue Recognition—Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts,” and creates new Subtopic 340-40, “Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers.” In summary, the core principle of Topic 606 is to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. Companies are allowed to select between two transition methods: (1) a full retrospective transition method with the application of the new guidance to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) a retrospective transition method that recognizes the cumulative effect on prior periods at the date of adoption together with additional footnote disclosures. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early application is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and have not made any decision on the method of adoption. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, which amends ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and should not be reflected in the estimate of the grant-date fair value of the award. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The guidance can be applied prospectively for all awards granted or modified after the effective date or retrospectively to all awards with performance targets outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, which amends ASC Subtopic 205-40, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to continue as a Going Concern.” The amendments in this ASU provide guidance related to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The amendments are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, which amends ASC Subtopic 225-20, “Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items.” The amendment in this ASU eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. The amendments in this update are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, which amends ASC Subtopic 810, “Consolidations.” This amendment affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, the amendments modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities; eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The standard may be applied retrospectively or through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, which amends ASC Subtopic 835-30, “Interest – Imputation of Interest.” The guidance requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the associated debt liability. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 which amends ASC Subtopic 835-30, “Interest – Imputation of Interest.” The guidance allows a debt issuance cost related to a line-of-credit to be presented in the balance sheet as an asset and subsequently amortized ratably over the term of the line-of credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-04, which amends ASC Topic 715, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits.” The guidance gives an employer whose fiscal year end does not coincide with a calendar month end the ability, as a practical expedient, to measure defined benefit retirement obligations and related plan assets as of the month end that is closest to its fiscal year end. The ASU also provides a similar practical expedient for interim remeasurements of significant events. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-12, which amends ASC Topic 960, “Plan Accounting-Defined Benefit Pension Plans,” ASC Topic 962, “Defined Contribution Pension Plans” and ASC Topic 965, “Health and Welfare Benefit Plans.” There are three parts to the ASU that aim to simplify the accounting and presentation of plan accounting. Part I of this ASU requires fully benefit-responsive investment contracts to be measured at contract value instead of the current fair value measurement. Part II of this ASU requires investments (both participant-directed and nonparticipant-directed investments) of employee benefit plans be grouped only by general type, eliminating the need to disaggregate the investments in multiple ways. Part III of this ASU provides a similar measurement date practical expedient for employee benefit plans as available in ASU No. 2015-04, which allows employers to measure defined benefit plan assets on a month-end date that is nearest to the year’s fiscal year-end when the fiscal period does not coincide with a month-end. Parts I and II of the new guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis. Part III of the new guidance should be applied on a prospective basis. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, which amends Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” This amendment eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination at the acquisition date with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill, and revise comparative information for prior periods presented in financial statements. Those adjustments are required when new information about circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date would have affected the measurement of the amount initially recognized. This update requires an entity to recognize these adjustments in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. An acquirer must record the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. An entity must present separately on the face of the income statement, or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment had been recognized as of the acquisition date. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, which amends ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” This amendment aligns the presentation of deferred income tax assets and liabilities with International Financial Reporting Standards. International Accounting Standard 1, Presentation of Financial Statements

Spin-off of Paragon Offshore pl

Spin-off of Paragon Offshore plc ("Paragon Offshore")	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Spin-off of Paragon Offshore plc (“Paragon Offshore”)	Note 3 - Discontinued Operations Paragon Offshore, which had been reflected as continuing operations in our consolidated financial statements prior to the Spin-off, meets the criteria for being reported as discontinued operations and has been reclassified as such in our results of operations. The results of discontinued operations for 2014 and 2013 include the historical results of Paragon Offshore through the Spin-off date, including costs incurred by Noble to complete the Spin-off. Non-recurring Spin-off related costs totaled $63 million and $18 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There was no activity related to discontinued operations during the year ended December 31, 2015. Prior to the Spin-off, Paragon Offshore issued approximately $1.7 billion of debt consisting of: · $1.08 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two separate tranches, comprising $500 million of 6.75% Senior Notes due 2022 and $580 million of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2024; and · $650 million of a senior secured term credit agreement, at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1%, which has an initial term of seven years. We allocated interest expense on the above debt, which is directly related to Paragon Offshore, to discontinued operations. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we allocated approximately $4 million of interest expense related to such debt. No interest was allocated to discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2013. The following table provides the results of operations from discontinued operations: 2014 2013 Operating revenues Contract drilling services $ 993,253 $ 1,615,325 Reimbursables 21,899 45,582 Labor contract drilling services 19,304 35,146 Other 2 94 Operating revenues from discontinued operations $ 1,034,458 $ 1,696,147 Income from discontinued operations Income from discontinued operations before income taxes $ 216,391 $ 379,591 Income tax provision (55,889 ) (75,489 ) Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ 160,502 $ 304,102
Spin-off [Member]
Spin-off of Paragon Offshore plc (“Paragon Offshore”)	Note 2 - Spin-off of Paragon Offshore plc (“Paragon Offshore”) On August 1, 2014, Noble-UK completed the separation and spin-off of a majority of its standard specification offshore drilling business (the “Spin-off”) through a pro rata distribution of all of the ordinary shares of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Paragon Offshore, to the holders of Noble’s ordinary shares. Our shareholders received one share of Paragon Offshore for every three shares of Noble owned as of July 23, 2014, the record date for the distribution. Through the Spin-off, we disposed of most of our standard specification drilling units and related assets, liabilities and business. Prior to the Spin-off, Paragon Offshore issued approximately $1.7 billion of long-term debt. We used the proceeds from this debt to repay certain amounts outstanding under our commercial paper program. In February 2016, we entered into an agreement in principle for a settlement with Paragon Offshore under which, in exchange for a full and unconditional release of any claims by Paragon Offshore in connection with the Spin-off (including certain claims that could be brought on behalf of Paragon Offshore’s creditors), we agreed to assume the administration of Mexican tax claims for specified years up to and including 2010, as well as the related bonding obligations and certain of the related tax liabilities. See Note 18 and Note 24. Prior to the completion of the Spin-off, Noble and Paragon Offshore entered into a series of agreements to effect the separation and Spin-off and govern the relationship between the parties after the Spin-off. Master Separation Agreement (“MSA”) The general terms and conditions relating to the separation and Spin-off are set forth in the MSA. The MSA identifies the assets transferred, liabilities assumed and contracts assigned either to Paragon Offshore by us or by Paragon Offshore to us in the separation and describes when and how these transfers, assumptions and assignments would occur. The MSA provides for, among other things, Paragon Offshore’s responsibility for liabilities relating to its business and the responsibility of Noble for liabilities related to our, and in certain limited cases, Paragon Offshore’s business, in each case irrespective of when the liability arose. The MSA also contains indemnification obligations and ongoing commitments by us and Paragon Offshore. Employee Matters Agreement (“EMA”) The EMA allocates liabilities and responsibilities between us and Paragon Offshore relating to employment, compensation and benefits and other employment related matters. Tax Sharing Agreement (“TSA”) The TSA provides for the allocation of tax liabilities and benefits between us and Paragon Offshore and governs the parties’ assistance with tax-related claims. Transition Services Agreements Under two transition services agreements, we agreed to continue, for a limited period of time, to provide various interim support services to Paragon Offshore, and Paragon Offshore agreed to provide various interim support services to us, including providing operational and administrative support for our remaining Brazilian operations.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Spin-off of Paragon Offshore plc (“Paragon Offshore”)	Note 3 - Discontinued Operations Paragon Offshore, which had been reflected as continuing operations in our consolidated financial statements prior to the Spin-off, meets the criteria for being reported as discontinued operations and has been reclassified as such in our results of operations. The results of discontinued operations for 2014 and 2013 include the historical results of Paragon Offshore through the Spin-off date, including costs incurred by Noble to complete the Spin-off. Non-recurring Spin-off related costs totaled $63 million and $18 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There was no activity related to discontinued operations during the year ended December 31, 2015. Prior to the Spin-off, Paragon Offshore issued approximately $1.7 billion of debt consisting of: · $1.08 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two separate tranches, comprising $500 million of 6.75% Senior Notes due 2022 and $580 million of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2024; and · $650 million of a senior secured term credit agreement, at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1%, which has an initial term of seven years. We allocated interest expense on the above debt, which is directly related to Paragon Offshore, to discontinued operations. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we allocated approximately $4 million of interest expense related to such debt. No interest was allocated to discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2013. The following table provides the results of operations from discontinued operations: 2014 2013 Operating revenues Contract drilling services $ 993,253 $ 1,615,325 Reimbursables 21,899 45,582 Labor contract drilling services 19,304 35,146 Other 2 94 Operating revenues from discontinued operations $ 1,034,458 $ 1,696,147 Income from discontinued operations Income from discontinued operations before income taxes $ 216,391 $ 379,591 Income tax provision (55,889 ) (75,489 ) Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ 160,502 $ 304,102

Consolidated Joint Ventures

Consolidated Joint Ventures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Consolidated Joint Ventures	Note 4 - Consolidated Joint Ventures We maintain a 50 percent interest in two joint ventures, each with a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc (“Shell”), that own and operate the two Bully During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Bully joint ventures approved and paid dividends totaling $143 million, $160 million and $211 million, respectively. Of these amounts, approximately $72 million, $80 million and $105 million, respectively, were paid to our joint venture partner. The combined carrying amount of the Bully

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Share	Note 5 - Earnings per Share The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for Noble-UK: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Basic Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 511,000 $ (152,011 ) $ 478,595 Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards (11,208 ) — (5,669 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations to common shareholders 499,792 (152,011 ) 472,926 Income from discontinued operations — 160,502 304,102 Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards — — (3,602 ) Income from discontinued operations, net of tax to common shareholders — 160,502 300,500 Net income attributable to Noble-UK 511,000 8,491 782,697 Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards (11,208 ) — (9,271 ) Net income to common shareholders—basic $ 499,792 $ 8,491 $ 773,426 Diluted Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 511,000 $ (152,011 ) $ 478,595 Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards (11,208 ) — (5,663 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations to common shareholders 499,792 (152,011 ) 472,932 Income from discontinued operations — 160,502 304,102 Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards — — (3,598 ) Income from discontinued operations, net of tax to common shareholders — 160,502 300,504 Net income attributable to Noble-UK 511,000 8,491 782,697 Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards (11,208 ) — (9,261 ) Net income to common shareholders—diluted $ 499,792 $ 8,491 $ 773,436 Weighted average shares outstanding—basic 242,146 252,909 253,288 Incremental shares issuable from assumed exercise of stock options — — 259 Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted 242,146 252,909 253,547 Weighted average unvested share-based payment awards 5,430 — 3,036 Earnings per share Basic Continuing operations $ 2.06 $ (0.60 ) $ 1.86 Discontinued operations — 0.63 1.19 Net income attributable to Noble-UK $ 2.06 $ 0.03 $ 3.05 Diluted Continuing operations $ 2.06 $ (0.60 ) $ 1.86 Discontinued operations — 0.63 1.19 Net income attributable to Noble-UK $ 2.06 $ 0.03 $ 3.05 Dividends per share $ 1.28 $ 1.50 $ 0.76 Only those items having a dilutive impact on our basic earnings per share are included in diluted earnings per share. The effect of stock options and unvested share-based payment awards is not included in the computation for periods in which a net loss from continuing operations occurs because to do so would be anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, approximately 1.7 million shares, 2.0 million shares and 0.9 million shares underlying stock options, respectively, were excluded from the diluted earnings per share as such stock options were not dilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we experienced a net loss from continuing operations. As such, approximately 4.0 million unvested share-based payment awards were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation at December 31, 2014 as such awards were not dilutive.

Receivables from Customers

Receivables from Customers	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Receivables from Customers	Note 6 - Receivables from Customers At December 31, 2015, we had receivables of approximately $14 million related to the Noble Max Smith

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Note 7 - Property and Equipment Property and equipment, at cost, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 for Noble-UK consisted of the following: 2015 2014 Drilling equipment and facilities $ 13,074,804 $ 13,254,240 Construction in progress 761,347 969,985 Other 220,172 218,697 Property and equipment, at cost $ 14,056,323 $ 14,442,922 Capital expenditures, including capitalized interest, totaled $423 million, $2.1 billion and $2.5 billion for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Capitalized interest was $25 million, $47 million and $115 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Capital expenditures related to Paragon Offshore for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $150 million and $359 million, respectively. Depreciation expense for Paragon Offshore that was classified as discontinued operations totaled $236 million and $368 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Note 8 - Debt Our debt consisted of the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014: December 31, December 31, 2015 2014 Senior unsecured notes: 3.45% Senior Notes due 2015 $ — $ 350,000 3.05% Senior Notes due 2016 299,997 299,982 2.50% Senior Notes due 2017 299,956 299,920 4.00% Senior Notes due 2018 249,602 — 7.50% Senior Notes due 2019 201,695 201,695 4.90% Senior Notes due 2020 499,287 499,151 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 399,680 399,627 3.95% Senior Notes due 2022 399,354 399,264 5.95% Senior Notes due 2025 448,814 — 6.20% Senior Notes due 2040 399,896 399,895 6.05% Senior Notes due 2041 397,719 397,681 5.25% Senior Notes due 2042 498,338 498,310 6.95% Senior Notes due 2045 394,563 — Total senior unsecured notes 4,488,901 3,745,525 Credit facilities & commercial paper program — 1,123,495 Total debt 4,488,901 4,869,020 Less: Current maturities of long-term debt (299,997 ) — Total long-term debt $ 4,188,904 $ 4,869,020 Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper Program At December 31, 2015, we had two credit facilities with an aggregate maximum capacity of $2.7 billion, which are comprised of a five year $2.4 billion senior unsecured credit facility that matures in January 2020 and a $225 million 364-day senior unsecured credit facility that matured in January 2016 and was not renewed (together, the “Credit Facilities”). We have a commercial paper program that allows us to issue up to $2.4 billion in unsecured commercial paper notes. Amounts issued under the commercial paper program are supported by the unused capacity under our Credit Facilities and, therefore, are classified as long-term on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The outstanding amounts of commercial paper reduce availability under our Credit Facilities. The $2.4 billion facility provides us with the ability to issue up to $500 million in letters of credit. The issuance of letters of credit under the facility reduces the amount available for borrowing. At December 31, 2015, we had no letters of credit issued under the facility. Senior Unsecured Notes In March 2015, we issued $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes, which we issued through our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Noble Holding International Limited (“NHIL”). These Senior Notes were issued in three separate tranches, consisting of $250 million of 4.00% Senior Notes due 2018, $450 million of 5.95% Senior Notes due 2025 and $400 million of 6.95% Senior Notes due 2045. The weighted average coupon of all three tranches is 5.87%. The interest rate on these Senior Notes may be increased if the credit rating applicable to the notes is downgraded below investment grade (up to a maximum of 200 basis points). The net proceeds of approximately $1.08 billion, after expenses, were used to repay indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facilities and commercial paper program. In August 2015, we repaid our $350 million 3.45% Senior Notes using cash on hand. Our $300 million 3.05% Senior Notes mature during the first quarter of 2016. We anticipate using cash on hand to repay the outstanding balances. Covenants The Credit Facilities and commercial paper program are guaranteed by our indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries, NHIL and Noble Holding Corporation (“NHC”). The covenants and events of default under the two Credit Facilities are substantially similar, and each facility contains a covenant that limits our ratio of debt to total tangible capitalization, as defined in the Credit Facilities, to 0.60. At December 31, 2015, our ratio of debt to total tangible capitalization was approximately 0.38. We were in compliance with all covenants under the credit facilities as of December 31, 2015. In addition to the covenants from the Credit Facilities noted above, the indentures governing our outstanding senior unsecured notes contain covenants that place restrictions on certain merger and consolidation transactions, unless we are the surviving entity or the other party assumes the obligations under the indenture, and on the ability to sell or transfer all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, there are restrictions on incurring or assuming certain liens and on entering into sale and lease-back transactions. At December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants. Other At December 31, 2015, we had letters of credit of $5 million, including bonds covering the temporary importation of equipment, performance bonds and expatriate visa guarantees. Aggregate principal repayments of total debt for the next five years and thereafter are as follows: 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total $ 299,997 $ 299,956 $ 249,602 $ 201,695 $ 499,287 $ 2,938,364 $ 4,488,901 Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair value represents the amount at which an instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. The estimated fair value of our senior notes was based on the quoted market prices for similar issues or on the current rates offered to us for debt of similar remaining maturities (Level 2 measurement). All remaining fair value disclosures are presented in Note 15 and Note 17. The following table presents the estimated fair value of our total debt as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Carrying Estimated Carrying Estimated Value Fair Value Value Fair Value Senior unsecured notes: 3.45% Senior Notes due 2015 $ — $ — $ 350,000 $ 354,992 3.05% Senior Notes due 2016 299,997 299,340 299,982 302,515 2.50% Senior Notes due 2017 299,956 284,334 299,920 287,014 4.00% Senior Notes due 2018 249,602 227,285 — — 7.50% Senior Notes due 2019 201,695 194,273 201,695 212,068 4.90% Senior Notes due 2020 499,287 378,761 499,151 471,095 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 399,680 289,450 399,627 363,837 3.95% Senior Notes due 2022 399,354 265,643 399,264 346,425 5.95% Senior Notes due 2025 448,814 308,870 — — 6.20% Senior Notes due 2040 399,896 237,005 399,895 350,351 6.05% Senior Notes due 2041 397,719 239,464 397,681 343,653 5.25% Senior Notes due 2042 498,338 279,919 498,310 385,181 6.95% Senior Notes due 2045 394,563 255,887 — — Total senior unsecured notes 4,488,901 3,260,231 3,745,525 3,417,131 Credit facilities and commercial paper program — — 1,123,495 1,123,496 Total debt $ 4,488,901 $ 3,260,231 $ 4,869,020 $ 4,540,627

Equity

Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Equity	Note 9 - Equity Share Capital As of December 31, 2015, Noble-UK had approximately 242.0 million shares outstanding and trading as compared to approximately 247.5 million shares outstanding and trading at December 31, 2014. Repurchased shares are recorded at cost, and include shares repurchased pursuant to our approved share repurchase program discussed below. Our Board of Directors may increase our share capital through the issuance of up to 53 million authorized shares (at current nominal value of $0.01 per share) without obtaining shareholder approval. Our most recent quarterly dividend payment to shareholders, totaling approximately $38 million (or $0.15 per share), was declared on January 29, 2016 and paid on February 16, 2016 to holders of record on February 8, 2016. The declaration and payment of dividends require authorization of the Board of Directors of Noble-UK, provided that such dividends on issued share capital may be paid only out of Noble-UK’s “distributable reserves” on its statutory balance sheet. Noble-UK is not permitted to pay dividends out of share capital, which includes share premiums. The amount of any such dividends will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future business prospects, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. Share Repurchases Under UK law, the Company is only permitted to purchase its own shares by way of an “off-market purchase” in a plan approved by shareholders. In December 2014, we received shareholder approval to repurchase up to 37 million ordinary shares, or approximately 15 percent of our outstanding ordinary shares at the time of the shareholder approval. The authority to make such repurchases will expire at the end of the Company’s 2016 annual general meeting of shareholders . Share repurchases for each of the three years ended December 31 are as follows: Total Number Average Year Ended of Shares Price Paid December 31, Purchased Total Cost (1) per Share (1) 2015 6,209,400 $ 100,630 $ 16.21 2014 6,769,891 154,145 22.77 2013 190,187 7,653 40.24 (1) The total cost and average price paid per share includes the impact of commissions and stamp tax for share repurchases made in the open market. Share-Based Compensation Plans Stock Plans On April 24, 2015 Noble Corporation plc shareholders approved a new equity plan, the Noble Corporation 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2015 Incentive Plan”), which permits grants of options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), stock or stock unit awards or cash awards, any of which may be structured as a performance award, from time to time to employees who are to be granted awards under the 2015 Incentive Plan. Neither consultants nor non-employee directors are eligible for awards under the 2015 Incentive Plan. The maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares that may be granted for any and all awards under the 2015 Incentive Plan will not exceed 7.3 million shares. As of December 31, 2015, we had 7.3 million shares remaining available for grants to employees under the 2015 Incentive Plan. The Noble Corporation 1991 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan, as amended (the “1991 Plan”), provides for the granting of options to purchase our shares, with or without stock appreciation rights, and the awarding of restricted shares or units to selected employees. Upon shareholder approval of the 2015 Incentive Plan, the 1991 Plan was terminated and equity based awards to employees are now made only through the 2015 Incentive Plan. Equity based awards previously granted under the 1991 Plan remain outstanding in accordance with their terms, which include the 1991 Plan. Prior to October 25, 2007, the Noble Corporation 1992 Nonqualified Stock Option and Share Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “1992 Plan”) provided for the granting of nonqualified stock options to our non-employee directors. On October 25, 2007, the 1992 Plan was amended and restated to, among other things, eliminate grants of stock options to non-employee directors and modify the annual award of restricted shares from a fixed number of restricted shares to an annually-determined variable number of restricted or unrestricted shares. In connection with the Spin-off, the total number of shares subject to issue under existing awards under the 1992 Plan was increased from 2.0 million to 2.3 million. As of December 31, 2015, we had 0.5 million shares remaining available for award to non-employee directors under the 1992 Plan. Stock Options Pursuant to the EMA (see Note 2), we modified the outstanding stock options for our employees in connection with the Spin-off. As the awards contained an antidilution provision, we made certain adjustments to the exercise price and number of our stock options to preserve the economic value of the grants immediately prior to the Spin-off. Each outstanding stock option of Noble, whether or not exercisable, that was held by a current or former Noble employee was adjusted such that the holder received an additional number of stock options of Noble based on a price ratio. The exercise price was adjusted by a factor equal to exercise price of the option prior to the Spin-off divided by the price ratio. The price ratio was calculated by dividing the average closing price of our stock during the 10 trading-day period prior to the Spin-off by the average closing price of our stock during the 10 trading-day period subsequent to the Spin-off. Each outstanding stock option of Noble, whether or not exercisable, that was held by an employee transferring to Paragon Offshore was vested at the Spin-off date and the exercise price and number of awards were adjusted in the same manner as explained above for Noble employees. At the Spin-off, we recognized the remaining expense for the accelerated vesting of stock options held by Paragon Offshore employees. As a result of the Spin-off, an additional 339,223 stock options were issued to preserve the economic value of the grants immediately prior to the Spin-off, as discussed above. As no incremental fair value was awarded as a result of the issuance of these additional awards, the modification did not result in additional compensation expense. Options have a term of 10 years, an exercise price equal to the fair market value of a share on the date of grant and generally vest over a three-year period. A summary of the status of stock options granted under both the 1991 Plan and 1992 Plan as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and the changes during the year ended on those dates is presented below: 2015 2014 2013 Number of Weighted Number of Weighted Number of Weighted Shares Average Shares Average Shares Average Underlying Exercise Underlying Exercise Underlying Exercise Options Price Options Price Options Price Outstanding at beginning of year 1,958,633 $ 28.43 1,808,987 $ 33.13 2,027,089 $ 32.44 Exercised — — (131,706 ) 20.08 (212,017 ) 26.66 Forfeited (281,479 ) 22.17 (57,871 ) 30.18 (6,085 ) 31.35 Spin-off adjustment — — 339,223 N/A — — Outstanding at end of year (1) 1,677,154 29.48 1,958,633 28.43 1,808,987 33.13 Exercisable at end of year (1) 1,677,154 $ 29.48 1,846,465 $ 28.35 1,510,929 $ 32.47 ( 1 ) Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2015 had no intrinsic value. The following table summarizes additional information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2015: Options Outstanding and Exercisable Number of Weighted Weighted Shares Average Average Underlying Remaining Exercise Options Life (Years) Price $20.49 to $25.41 311,704 3.65 $ 21.34 $25.42 to $30.59 593,387 4.07 29.53 $30.60 to $35.73 772,063 3.57 32.72 Total 1,677,154 3.76 $ 29.48 Besides the stock options issued as a result of the Spin-off, as discussed above, no stock options were granted during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes pricing model. The expected term of options granted represents the period of time that the options are expected to be outstanding and is derived from historical exercise behavior, current trends and values derived from lattice-based models. Expected volatilities are based on implied volatilities of traded options on our shares, historical volatility of our shares, and other factors. The expected dividend yield is based on historical yields on the date of grant. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. A summary of the status of our non-vested stock options at December 31, 2015 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2015 is presented below: Shares Weighted-Average Under Outstanding Grant-Date Options Fair Value Non-Vested Options at January 1, 2015 112,168 $ 13.05 Vested (112,168 ) 13.05 Non-Vested Options at December 31, 2015 — $ — Compensation cost recognized during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 related to stock options totaled $0.1 million, $2 million and $3 million, respectively. Restricted Stock Units (“RSU’s”) Pursuant to the EMA (see Note 2), we modified the outstanding RSU awards, both time-vested restricted stock units (“TVRSUs”) and market-based performance-vested restricted stock units (“PVRSUs”), for our employees in connection with the Spin-off. As the awards contained an antidilution provision, we made certain adjustments to the number of our share-based compensation awards to preserve the economic value of the grants immediately prior to the Spin-off. Each outstanding and unvested RSU of Noble that was held by a current or former Noble employee was adjusted such that the holder received an additional number of RSUs of Noble based on a price ratio, which was calculated as noted above in “Stock Options.” As a result of the Spin-off, an additional 326,853 TVRSUs and 329,937 PVRSUs were issued to preserve the economic value of the grants immediately prior to the Spin-off, as discussed above. As no incremental fair value was awarded as a result of the issuance of these additional awards, the modification did not result in additional compensation expense. We have awarded both TVRSU’s and PVRSU’s under the 1991 Plan and TVRSU’s under the 2015 Incentive Plan. The TVRSU’s generally vest over a three year period. The number of PVRSU’s which vest will depend on the degree of achievement of specified corporate performance criteria over a three-year performance period. These criteria are strictly market based criteria as defined by FASB standards. The TVRSU’s are valued on the date of award at our underlying share price. The total compensation for units that ultimately vest is recognized over the service period. The shares and related nominal value are recorded when the restricted stock unit vests and additional paid-in capital is adjusted as the share-based compensation cost is recognized for financial reporting purposes. The market-based PVRSU’s are valued on the date of grant based on the estimated fair value. Estimated fair value is determined based on numerous assumptions, including an estimate of the likelihood that our stock price performance will achieve the targeted thresholds and the expected forfeiture rate. The fair value is calculated using a Monte Carlo Simulation Model. The assumptions used to value the PVRSU’s include historical volatility, risk-free interest rates, and expected dividends over a time period commensurate with the remaining term prior to vesting, as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Valuation assumptions: Expected volatility 34.0 % 33.0 % 34.8 % Expected dividend yield 9.4 % 4.7 % 1.3 % Risk-free interest rate 0.8 % 0.7 % 0.4 % Additionally, similar assumptions were made for each of the companies included in the defined index and the peer group of companies in order to simulate the future outcome using the Monte Carlo Simulation Model. A summary of the RSU awards for each of the years in the period ended December 31 is as follows: 2015 2014 2013 TVRSU Units awarded (maximum available) 2,004,311 1,617,534 1,033,009 Weighted-average share price at award date $ 15.90 $ 31.56 $ 41.32 Weighted-average vesting period (years) 3.0 3.0 3.0 PVRSU Units awarded (maximum available) 1,205,130 740,364 565,650 Weighted-average share price at award date $ 15.94 $ 31.66 $ 41.42 Three-year performance period ended December 31 2017 2016 2015 Weighted-average award-date fair value $ 9.12 $ 19.66 $ 24.97 In October 2014, our Board of Directors approved a modification of certain PVRSU awards. The modification related to the composition of our peer groups for a portion of the 2013 and 2014 grants currently in place. The value of the modification was determined by taking the fair value of the modified award as compared to the fair value of the previous award immediately prior to modification, using a Monte Carlo Simulation Model to value both grants. We award shares under the 1992 Plan. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we awarded 99,063, 50,796 and 57,095 shares to non-employee directors, resulting in related compensation cost of $2 million in each of the three years. A summary of the status of non-vested RSU’s at December 31, 2015 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2015 is presented below: Weighted Weighted Average Average TVRSU’s Award-Date PVRSU’s Award-Date Outstanding Fair Value Outstanding (1) Fair Value Non-vested RSU’s at January 1, 2015 1,881,179 $ 34.66 1,942,969 $ 21.44 Awarded 2,004,311 15.90 1,205,130 9.12 Vested (842,396 ) 35.52 — — Forfeited (333,419 ) 22.84 (601,962 ) 19.52 Non-vested RSU’s at December 31, 2015 2,709,675 $ 21.97 2,546,137 $ 16.06 (1) The number of PVRSU’s shown equals the units that would vest if the “maximum” level of performance is achieved. The minimum number of units is zero and the “target” level of performance is 50 percent of the amounts shown. At December 31, 2015 there was $30 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the TVRSU’s which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 1.7 years. The total award-date fair value of TVRSU’s vested during the year ended December 31, 2015 was $30 million. At December 31, 2015, there was $11 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the PVRSU’s which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 1.6 years. The total potential compensation for PVRSU’s is recognized over the service period regardless of whether the performance thresholds are ultimately achieved. During the year ended December 31, 2015, 517,223 PVRSU’s for the 2012-2014 performance period were forfeited. In January 2016, 273,357 PVRSU’s for the 2013-2015 performance period were forfeited. Share-based amortization recognized during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 related to all restricted stock totaled $39 million ($31 million net of income tax), $46 million ($37 million net of income tax) and $44 million ($36 million net of income tax), respectively. Included in share-based amortization for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $7 million and $10 million, respectively, related to Paragon Offshore that was classified as discontinued operations. Capitalized share-based amortization totaled approximately $1 million per year in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Note 10 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The following tables set forth the components of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” (“AOCL”) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and changes in AOCL by component for the year ended December 31, 2015. All amounts within the tables are shown net of tax. Gains / Defined (Losses) on Benefit Foreign Cash Flow Pension Currency Hedges (1) Items (2) Items Total Balance at December 31, 2013 $ — $ (58,598 ) $ (23,566 ) $ (82,164 ) Activity during period: Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (4,286 ) (30,952 ) (118 ) (35,356 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 4,286 9,338 — 13,624 Net other comprehensive income (loss) — (21,614 ) (118 ) (21,732 ) Spin-off of Paragon Offshore (3) — 21,772 12,706 34,478 Balance at December 31, 2014 $ — $ (58,440 ) $ (10,978 ) $ (69,418 ) Activity during period: Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 2,414 7,099 (5,278 ) 4,235 Amounts reclassified from AOCL (2,414 ) 4,422 — 2,008 Net other comprehensive income (loss) — 11,521 (5,278 ) 6,243 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ — $ (46,919 ) $ (16,256 ) $ (63,175 ) (1) Gains on cash flow hedges are related to our foreign currency forward contracts. Reclassifications from AOCL are recognized through “contract drilling services” expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 16 for additional information. (2) Defined benefit pension items relate to actuarial changes, the amortization of prior service costs and curtailment and settlement expenses. Reclassifications from AOCL are recognized as expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income through either “contract drilling services” or “general and administrative.” See Note 15 for additional information. (3) Reclassifications for the Spin-off of Paragon Offshore represent accumulated balances in AOCL that were transferred as part of the Spin-off.

Loss on Impairment

Loss on Impairment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Loss on Impairment	Note 11 - Loss on Impairment Asset impairments In connection with the preparation of the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report, consistent with our accounting policies discussed in Note 1, we evaluate our drilling fleet assets for impairment on an annual basis or whenever there are changes in facts which suggest that the value of the asset is not recoverable. In the fourth quarter of 2015, in connection with our annual impairment analysis, we decided that we would no longer market one of our drillships, the Noble Discoverer Noble Charles Copeland Also in 2015, we determined that certain corporate assets were partially impaired due to a declining market for, and the potential disposal of, the assets. We estimated the fair value of the assets based on quotes from brokers of similar assets (Level 2). Based on these estimates, we recorded an impairment charge of approximately $13 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. During the fourth quarter of 2014, we reviewed assumptions on the future marketability of the Noble Driller Noble Jim Thompson Noble Paul Wolff In 2012, we determined that our submersible rig fleet, consisting of two cold stacked rigs, was partially impaired due to the declining market outlook for drilling services for that rig type. We estimated the fair value of the rigs based on the salvage value of the rigs and a then recent transaction involving a similar unit owned by a peer company (Level 2 fair value measurement). Based on these estimates, we recognized an impairment charge of approximately $13 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. During 2013, we recorded an additional impairment charge of approximately $4 million on these rigs arising from the potential disposition of these assets to an unrelated third party. In January 2014, we completed the sale of the submersibles for a total sales price of $7 million. Goodwill In connection with our acquisition of FDR Holdings Limited (“Frontier”) in 2010, we recognized goodwill in our Contract Drilling Services reporting unit. In connection with the preparation of the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report, as discussed in Note 1, we conduct goodwill impairment testing annually in the fourth quarter of each year and when events occur that would potentially reduce the fair value of our reporting unit below its carrying amount. As part of our annual test completed in 2014, we noted a significant decline in the market value of our stock, coupled with a decrease in oil and gas prices, significant reductions in the projected dayrates for new contracts and reduced utilization forecasts. These factors drove our fair value of the reporting unit below the book value, and we concluded that the goodwill in the Contract Drilling Services reporting unit was impaired. We deemed this to be a Level 3 fair value measurement under accounting literature as it contains significant estimation and non-observable inputs. During 2014, we fully impaired the $60 million of goodwill.

Gain on Disposal of Assets, net

Gain on Disposal of Assets, net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Gain Loss On Disposition Of Assets [Abstract]
Gain on Disposal of Assets, net	Note 12 - Gain on Disposal of Assets, net During the third quarter of 2013, we completed the sale of the Noble Lewis Dugger

Gain on Contract Settlements_Ex

Gain on Contract Settlements/Extinguishments, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Contractors [Abstract]
Gain on Contract Settlements/Extinguishments, Net	Note 13 - Gain on Contract Settlements/Extinguishments, Net In 2013, we received $45 million related to the settlement of all claims against the former shareholders of Frontier, which we acquired in July 2010, relating to alleged breaches of various representations and warranties contained in the purchase agreement. A portion of the settlement, totaling approximately $14 million, was allocated to discontinued operations as it related to certain standard specification rigs.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 14 - Income Taxes Noble-UK is a company which is tax resident in the UK and, as such, will be subject to UK corporation tax on its taxable profits and gains. A UK tax exemption is available in respect of qualifying dividends income and capital gains related to the sale of qualifying participations. We operate in various countries throughout the world, including the United States. The income of the non-UK subsidiaries is not expected to be subject to UK corporation tax. Prior to the redomiciliation, Noble-Swiss was the group holding company and was exempt from Swiss cantonal and communal income tax on its worldwide income, and was also granted participation relief from Swiss federal tax for qualifying dividend income and capital gains related to the sale of qualifying participations. It is expected that the participation relief will result in a full exemption of participation income from Swiss federal income tax. We do not expect the redomiciliation from Switzerland to the UK to have a material impact on our effective tax rate. Consequently, we have taken account of those tax exemptions and provided for income taxes based on the laws and rates in effect in the countries in which operations are conducted, or in which we or our subsidiaries have a taxable presence for income tax purposes. The components of the net deferred taxes are as follows: 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets United States Deferred pension plan amounts $ 22,858 $ 23,497 Accrued expenses not currently deductible 20,041 14,250 Other 3,069 11,267 Non-U.S. Net operating loss carry forwards 3,800 6,907 Deferred pension plan amounts 2,347 3,096 Other 2,064 — Deferred tax assets 54,179 59,017 Less: valuation allowance (3,800 ) (6,907 ) Net deferred tax assets $ 50,379 $ 52,110 Deferred tax liabilities United States Excess of net book basis over remaining tax basis $ (126,096 ) $ (166,959 ) Other (10,277 ) (4,969 ) Non-U.S. Excess of net book basis over remaining tax basis (200 ) (200 ) Other (4,366 ) (397 ) Deferred tax liabilities (140,939 ) (172,525 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (90,560 ) $ (120,415 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes consists of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 United States $ 4,031 $ 38,206 $ 178,090 Non-U.S. 738,402 (8,741 ) 460,331 Total $ 742,433 $ 29,465 $ 638,421 The income tax provision for continuing operations consists of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Current- United States $ 113,648 $ 50,829 $ 83,302 Current- Non-U.S. 81,756 74,288 23,836 Deferred- United States (38,103 ) (18,655 ) (14,032 ) Deferred- Non-U.S. 1,931 189 (989 ) Total $ 159,232 $ 106,651 $ 92,117 The following is a reconciliation of our reserve for uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties: 2015 2014 2013 Gross balance at January 1, $ 108,812 $ 115,969 $ 115,009 Additions based on tax positions related to current year 31,022 16,880 2,318 Additions for tax positions of prior years 47,561 12,928 18,906 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (11,945 ) (8 ) (7,910 ) Expiration of statutes (1,237 ) (2,852 ) (2,633 ) Reduction due to Spin-off — (26,870 ) — Tax settlements (4,526 ) (7,235 ) (9,721 ) Gross balance at December 31, 169,687 108,812 115,969 Related tax benefits (14,369 ) (1,064 ) (2,038 ) Net reserve at December 31, $ 155,318 $ 107,748 $ 113,931 The liabilities related to our reserve for uncertain tax positions are comprised of the following: 2015 2014 Reserve for uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties $ 155,318 $ 107,748 Interest and penalties included in “Other liabilities” 10,961 8,039 Reserve for uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties $ 166,279 $ 115,787 If these reserves of $166 million are not realized, the provision for income taxes will be reduced by $166 million. We include, as a component of our “Income tax provision,” potential interest and penalties related to recognized tax contingencies within our global operations. Interest and penalties resulted in an income tax expense of $3 million in 2015, an income tax benefit of $1 million in 2014 and an income tax benefit of $7 million in 2013. It is reasonably possible that our existing liabilities related to our reserve for uncertain tax positions may increase or decrease in the next twelve months primarily due to the completion of open audits or the expiration of statutes of limitation. However, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of changes in our existing liabilities due to various uncertainties, such as the unresolved nature of various audits. We conduct business globally and, as a result, we file numerous income tax returns in the U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions. In the normal course of business we are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, including major jurisdictions such as Brazil, Mexico, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Denmark, Gabon, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. We are no longer subject to U.S. Federal income tax examinations for years before 2010 and non-U.S. income tax examinations for years before 2000. Noble-UK conducts substantially all of its business through Noble-Cayman and its subsidiaries. The income of our non-UK subsidiaries is not subject to UK income tax. Earnings are taxable in the United Kingdom at the UK statutory rate of 20.25 percent. Ongoing consultative process in the United Kingdom and a possible change in law could materially impact our tax rate on operations in the United Kingdom continental shelf. A reconciliation of tax rates outside of the United Kingdom and the Cayman Islands to our Noble-UK effective rate for continuing operations is shown below: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Effect of: Tax rates which are different than the UK and Cayman Island rates 14.4 % 19.3 % 15.5 % Tax impact of asset impairment 5.3 % 344.0 % 0.0 % Reserve for (resolution of) tax authority audits 1.7 % (1.3 )% (1.1 )% Total 21.4 % 362.0 % 14.4 % We generated and fully utilized U.S. foreign tax credits of $15 million, $17 million and $15 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015, we have no undistributed earnings of our subsidiaries for which deferred income taxes have not been provided.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Note 15 - Employee Benefit Plans Defined Benefit Plans Noble maintains two pension plans for certain of our employees whose most recent date of employment is prior to April 1, 2014 operating in the North Sea, the Noble Drilling (Land Support) Limited (“NDLS”) and the Noble Resources Limited (“NRL”), both indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Noble-UK. Prior to the Spin-off of Paragon Offshore, Noble also maintained two benefit plans whose assets and liabilities were assumed by Paragon Offshore as part of our MSA (see Note 2). Benefits for all of the above plans are based on credited service and employees’ compensation near retirement, as defined by the respective plan. Reference to our “non-U.S. plans” included throughout this report relates to both the NDLS and NRL plans, as well as the activity for the two legacy plans for the periods prior to the Spin-off. In addition to the non-U.S. plans discussed above, we have two U.S. noncontributory defined benefit pension plans: one which covers certain salaried employees and one which covers certain hourly employees, whose initial date of employment is prior to August 1, 2004 (collectively referred to as our “qualified U.S. plans”). These plans are governed by the Noble Drilling Employees’ Retirement Trust (the “Trust”). The benefits from these plans are based primarily on years of service and, for the salaried plan, employees’ compensation near retirement. These plans qualify under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), and our funding policy is consistent with funding requirements of ERISA and other applicable laws and regulations. We make cash contributions, or utilize credit balances available to us under the plan, for the qualified U.S. plans when required. The benefit amount that can be covered by the qualified U.S. plans is limited under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) of 1986. Therefore, we maintain an unfunded, nonqualified excess benefit plan designed to maintain benefits for specified employees at the formula level in the qualified salary U.S. plan. We refer to the qualified U.S. plans and the excess benefit plan collectively as the “U.S. plans.” Employees participating in the U.S. plans that transferred to Paragon Offshore at the time of the Spin-off terminated under these plans as of July 31, 2014. In connection with the termination of these employees, we recognized a curtailment expense of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Additionally in 2014, we recognized a settlement expense of $10 million related to those terminated employees that elected to receive their accumulated benefits as a lump sum distribution. A reconciliation of the changes in projected benefit obligations (“PBO”) for our non-U.S. and U.S. plans is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 72,553 $ 238,072 $ 161,591 $ 223,938 Service cost 3,344 8,596 4,777 8,901 Interest cost 2,546 9,198 4,650 10,546 Actuarial loss (gain) (2,778 ) (21,631 ) 6,145 51,524 Plan amendments — — 1,595 — Benefits paid (2,971 ) (5,845 ) (2,819 ) (4,262 ) Settlement — — — (34,397 ) Curtailment — — — (18,178 ) Plan participants’ contributions 363 — 266 — Foreign exchange rate changes (3,685 ) — (7,071 ) — Spin-off adjustment — — (96,581 ) — Benefit obligation at end of year $ 69,372 $ 228,390 $ 72,553 $ 238,072 A reconciliation of the changes in fair value of plan assets is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 77,714 $ 172,119 $ 174,257 $ 201,011 Actual return on plan assets 2,270 1,125 6,717 7,750 Employer contributions 2,182 548 6,863 2,017 Benefits and expenses paid (2,971 ) (5,845 ) (2,819 ) (4,262 ) Settlement — — — (34,397 ) Plan participants’ contributions 363 — 266 — Foreign exchange rate changes (3,703 ) — (11,068 ) — Spin-off adjustment — — (96,502 ) — Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 75,855 $ 167,947 $ 77,714 $ 172,119 The funded status of the plans is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Funded status $ 6,483 $ (60,443 ) $ 5,161 $ (65,953 ) Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Other assets (noncurrent) $ 9,121 $ 1,134 $ 7,725 $ — Other liabilities (current) — (3,441 ) — (3,037 ) Other liabilities (noncurrent) (2,638 ) (58,136 ) (2,564 ) (62,916 ) Net amount recognized $ 6,483 $ (60,443 ) $ 5,161 $ (65,953 ) Amounts recognized in AOCL consist of: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Net actuarial loss $ 10,017 $ 57,937 $ 11,793 $ 73,705 Prior service cost 1,378 326 1,531 468 Deferred income tax asset (2,347 ) (20,392 ) (3,096 ) (25,961 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ 9,048 $ 37,871 $ 10,228 $ 48,212 Pension cost includes the following components: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Service Cost $ 3,344 $ 8,596 $ 4,777 $ 8,901 $ 5,496 $ 10,724 Interest Cost 2,546 9,198 4,650 10,546 5,085 9,049 Return on plan assets (3,673 ) (13,146 ) (6,117 ) (15,499 ) (5,836 ) (13,102 ) Amortization of prior service cost 104 142 46 196 — 227 Recognized net actuarial loss 315 6,158 769 2,857 1,670 7,639 Curtailment expense — — — 241 — — Settlement expense — — — 9,872 — — Net pension expense $ 2,636 $ 10,948 $ 4,125 $ 17,114 $ 6,415 $ 14,537 Included in net pension expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 for non-U.S. plans was approximately $2 million and $4 million, respectively, related to Paragon Offshore that was classified as discontinued operations. Included in net pension expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 for U.S. plans was approximately $11 million and $4 million, respectively, related to Paragon Offshore that was classified as discontinued operations. The estimated prior service cost and net actuarial loss that will be amortized from AOCL into net periodic pension cost in 2016 are $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for non-U.S. plans and $0.1 million and $4.4 million, respectively, for U.S. plans. During 2015, we adopted the Retirement Plan (“RP”) 2015 mortality tables with the Mortality Projection (“MP”) scale as issued by the Society of Actuaries. The RP 2015 mortality tables represent the new standard for defined benefit mortality assumptions due to adjusted life expectancies. The adoption of the updated mortality tables and the mortality improvement scales decreased our pension liability on our U.S. plans by approximately $3 million as of December 31, 2015. During 2014, we adopted the RP 2014 mortality tables with the MP scale as issued by the Society of Actuaries. The RP 2014 mortality tables represent the new standard for defined benefit mortality assumptions due to longer life expectancies. The adoption of the updated mortality tables and the mortality improvement scales increased our pension liability on our U.S. plans by approximately $14 million as of December 31, 2014. Defined Benefit Plans—Disaggregated Plan Information Disaggregated information regarding our non-U.S. and U.S. plans is summarized below: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Projected benefit obligation $ 69,372 $ 228,390 $ 72,553 $ 238,072 Accumulated benefit obligation 65,136 199,928 68,902 202,716 Fair value of plan assets 75,855 167,947 77,714 172,119 The following table provides information related to those plans in which the PBO exceeded the fair value of the plan assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014. The PBO is the actuarially computed present value of earned benefits based on service to date and includes the estimated effect of any future salary increases. Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Projected benefit obligation $ 4,317 $ 202,566 $ 3,157 $ 238,072 Fair value of plan assets 1,679 140,988 592 172,119 The PBO for the unfunded excess benefit plan was $23 million at December 31, 2015 as compared to $20 million in 2014, and is included under “U.S.” in the above tables. The following table provides information related to those plans in which the accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) exceeded the fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014. The ABO is the actuarially computed present value of earned benefits based on service to date, but differs from the PBO in that it is based on current salary levels. Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Accumulated benefit obligation $ 1,853 $ 174,105 $ 1,355 $ 202,716 Fair value of plan assets 1,679 140,988 592 172,119 The ABO for the unfunded excess benefit plan was $15 million at December 31, 2015 as compared to $13 million in 2014, and is included under “U.S.” in the above tables. Defined Benefit Plans—Key Assumptions The key assumptions for the plans are summarized below: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations: Discount Rate 2.93%-3.90% 3.09%-4.48% 2.60%-3.70% 3.00%-4.10% Rate of compensation increase 3.60%-4.20% 2.00%-5.00% 3.60%-4.10% 5.00% Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Weighted-average assumptions used to determine periodic benefit cost: Discount Rate 2.60%-3.70% 2.98%-4.38% 2.70%-4.70% 3.90%-5.10% 2.50%-4.50% 3.10%-4.20% Expected long-term return on assets 1.60%-4.90% 7.50% 2.30%-6.00% 7.80% 2.30%-5.70% 7.80% Rate of compensation increase 3.60%-4.10% 2.00%-5.00% 3.60%-4.50% 5.00% 3.60%-4.10% 5.00% The discount rate used to calculate the net present value of future benefit obligations for our U.S. plan is based on the average of current rates earned on long-term bonds that receive a Moody’s rating of “Aa” or better. We have determined that the timing and amount of expected cash outflows on our plan reasonably match this index. For non-U.S. plans, the discount rates used to calculate the net present value of future benefit obligations are determined by using a yield curve of high quality bond portfolios with an average maturity approximating that of the liabilities. In developing the expected long-term rate of return on assets, we considered the current level of expected returns on risk free investments (primarily government bonds), the historical level of risk premium associated with the other asset classes in which the portfolio is invested and the expectations for future returns of each asset class. The expected return for each asset class was then weighted based on the target asset allocation to develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets for the portfolio. To assist us with this analysis, we employ third-party consultants for our U.S. and non-U.S. plans that use a portfolio return model. Defined Benefit Plans—Plan Assets Non-U.S. Plans The NRL pension plan has a targeted asset allocation of 100 percent debt securities. The investment objective for the NRL Plan assets is to earn a favorable return against the Barclays Capital Euro-Treasury AAA index. We evaluate the performance of this plan on an annual basis. The NDLS pension plan has a target asset allocation of 70 percent equity securities and 30 percent debt securities. The investment objective of the plan, as adopted by the plan’s trustees, is to achieve a favorable return against a benchmark of blended United Kingdom market indices. By achieving this objective, the trustees believe the plan will be able to avoid significant volatility in the contribution rate and provide sufficient plan assets to cover the plan’s benefit obligations were the plan to be liquidated. To achieve these objectives, the trustees have given the plan’s investment managers full discretion in the day-to-day management of the plan’s assets. The plan’s assets are invested with two investment managers. The performance objective communicated to one of these investment managers is to exceed a blend of FTSE A Over 15 Year Gilts index and iBoxx Sterling Non Gilts index by 1.25 percent per annum. The performance objective communicated to the other investment manager is to exceed a blend of FTSE’s All Share index, North America index, Europe index and Pacific Basin index by 1.00 to 2.00 percent per annum. This investment manager is prohibited by the trustees from investing in real estate. The trustees meet with the investment managers periodically to review and discuss their investment performance. The actual fair values of Non-U.S. pension plans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: December 31, 2015 Estimated Fair Value Measurements Quoted Significant Prices in Other Significant Active Observable Unobservable Carrying Markets Inputs Inputs Amount (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Cash and cash equivalents $ 893 $ 893 $ — $ — Equity securities: International companies 56,926 56,926 — — Fixed income securities: Corporate bonds 16,357 — 16,357 — Other 1,679 — — 1,679 Total $ 75,855 $ 57,819 $ 16,357 $ 1,679 December 31, 2014 Estimated Fair Value Measurements Quoted Significant Prices in Other Significant Active Observable Unobservable Carrying Markets Inputs Inputs Amount (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Cash and cash equivalents $ 87 $ 87 $ — $ — Equity securities: International companies 53,261 53,261 — — Fixed income securities: Corporate bonds 23,774 — 23,774 — Other 592 — — 592 Total $ 77,714 $ 53,348 $ 23,774 $ 592 At December 31, 2015, assets of NRL were invested in instruments that are similar in form to a guaranteed insurance contract. There are no observable market values for these assets (Level 3); however, the amounts listed as plan assets were materially similar to the anticipated benefit obligations that were anticipated under the plans. Amounts were therefore calculated using actuarial assumptions completed by third-party consultants employed by Noble. The following table details the activity related to these investments during the year. Market Value Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 592 Assets purchased 1,982 Assets sold/benefits paid (350 ) Return on plan assets (356 ) Loss on exchange rate (189 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 1,679 U.S. Plans The Trust invests in equity securities, fixed income debt securities, and cash equivalents and other short-term investments. The Trust may invest in these investments directly or through pooled vehicles, including mutual funds. The Company’s overall investment strategy, or target range, is to achieve a mix of approximately 66.5 percent in equity securities, 32 percent in debt securities and 1.5 percent in cash holdings. Actual results may deviate from the target range, however any deviation from the target range of asset allocations must be approved by the Trust’s governing committee. The performance objective of the Trust is to outperform the return of the Total Index Composite as constructed to reflect the target allocation weightings for each asset class. This objective should be met over a market cycle, which is defined as a period not less than three years or more than five years. U.S. equity securities (common stock, convertible preferred stock and convertible bonds) should achieve a total return (after fees) that exceeds the total return of an appropriate market index over a full market cycle of three to five years. Non-U.S. equity securities (common stock, convertible preferred stock and convertible bonds), either from developed or emerging markets, should achieve a total return (after fees) that exceeds the total return of an appropriate market index over a full market cycle of three to five years. Fixed income debt securities should achieve a total return (after fees) that exceeds the total return of an appropriate market index over a full market cycle of three to five years. Cash equivalent and short-term investments should achieve relative performance better than the 90-day Treasury bills. When mutual funds are used by the Trust, those mutual funds should achieve a total return that equals or exceeds the total return of each fund’s appropriate Lipper or Morningstar peer category over a full market cycle of three to five years. Lipper and Morningstar are independent mutual fund rating and information services. For investments in equity securities, no individual options or financial futures contracts are purchased unless approved in writing by the Trust’s governing committee. In addition, no private placements or purchases of venture capital are allowed. The target amount in international equities is 20 percent of plan assets and may not exceed 23 percent of plan assets. Of the international equities amount, no more than 30 percent can be related to any particular country. The Trust’s equity managers vote all proxies in the best interest of the Trust without regards to social issues. The Trust’s governing committee reserves the right to comment on and exercise control over the response to any individual proxy solicitation. For fixed income debt securities, corporate bonds purchased are primarily limited to investment grade securities as established by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s. The total fixed income exposure from any single non-government or government agency issuer shall not exceed 42 percent of the Trust’s fixed income holdings. The average duration of the total portfolio shall not exceed the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index by 1.5 years. All interest and principal receipts are swept, as received, into an alternative cash management vehicle until reallocated in accordance with the Trust’s core allocation. For investments in mutual funds, the assets of the Trust are subject to the guidelines and limits imposed by such mutual fund’s prospectus and the other governing documentation at the fund level. For investments in cash equivalent and short-term investments, the Trust utilizes a money market mutual fund which invests in U.S. government and agency obligations, repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government or agency securities, commercial paper, bankers’ acceptances, certificate of deposits, delayed delivery transactions, reverse repurchase agreements, time deposits and Euro obligations. Bankers’ acceptances shall be made in larger banks (ranked by assets) rated “Aa” or better by Moody’s and in conformance with all FDIC regulations concerning capital requirements. No shares of Noble were included in equity securities at either December 31, 2015 or 2014. The actual fair values of U.S. pension plan assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: December 31, 2015 Estimated Fair Value Measurements Quoted Significant Prices in Other Significant Active Observable Unobservable Carrying Markets Inputs Inputs Amount (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,097 $ — $ 2,097 $ — Equity securities: United States 77,611 77,611 — — International 33,517 33,517 — — Fixed income securities: Corporate bonds 54,722 54,722 — — Total $ 167,947 $ 165,850 $ 2,097 $ — December 31, 2014 Estimated Fair Value Measurements Quoted Significant Prices in Other Significant Active Observable Unobservable Carrying Markets Inputs Inputs Amount (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,998 $ — $ 5,998 $ — Equity securities: United States 80,823 80,823 — — International 33,392 33,392 — — Fixed income securities: Corporate bonds 51,906 51,906 — — Total $ 172,119 $ 166,121 $ 5,998 $ — While the underlying investments related to the equity securities are traded in active markets, which is a Level 1 measurement, the funds we own the investments through are not themselves actively traded, and therefore are being presented as a Level 2 measurement at December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2015, no single security made up more than 10 percent of total assets of either the U.S. or the Non-U.S. plans. Defined Benefit Plans—Cash Flows In 2015, we made total contributions of $2.2 million and $0.5 million to our non-U.S. and U.S. pension plans, respectively. In 2014, we made total contributions of $7 million and $2 million to our non-U.S. and U.S. pension plans, respectively. In 2013, we made total contributions of $9 million and $6 million to our non-U.S. and U.S. pension plans, respectively. We expect our aggregate minimum contributions to our non-U.S. and U.S. plans in 2016, subject to applicable law, to be $2 million and $3 million, respectively. We continue to monitor and evaluate funding options based upon market conditions and may increase contributions at our discretion. The following table summarizes our estimated benefit payments at December 31, 2015: Payments by Period Total 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Estimated benefit payments Non U.S. plans $ 28,225 $ 2,344 $ 2,436 $ 2,533 $ 2,635 $ 2,742 $ 15,535 U.S. plans 118,727 8,970 7,096 8,077 9,028 9,958 75,598 Total estimated benefit payments $ 146,952 $ 11,314 $ 9,532 $ 10,610 $ 11,663 $ 12,700 $ 91,133 Other Benefit Plans We sponsor a 401(k) Restoration Plan, which is a nonqualified, unfunded employee benefit plan under which specified employees may elect to defer compensation in excess of amounts deferrable under our 401(k) savings plan. The 401(k) Restoration Plan has no assets, and amounts withheld for the 401(k) Restoration Plan are kept by us for general corporate purposes. The investments selected by employees and associated returns are tracked on a phantom basis. Accordingly, we have a liability to the employee for amounts originally withheld plus phantom investment income or less phantom investment losses. We are at risk for phantom investment income and, conversely, benefit should phantom investment losses occur. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, our liability for the 401(k) Restoration Plan was $8 million and $7 million, respectively, and is included in “Accrued payroll and related costs.” In 2005 we enacted a profit sharing plan, the Noble Drilling Services Inc. Profit Sharing Plan, which covers eligible employees, as defined. Participants in the plan become fully vested in the plan after three years of service. Profit sharing contributions are discretionary, require Board of Directors approval and are made in the form of cash. Contributions recorded related to this plan totaled $6 million, $6 million and $5 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We sponsor other retirement, health and welfare plans and a 401(k) savings plan for the benefit of our employees. The cost of maintaining these plans for continuing operations aggregated approximately $55 million, $70 million and $80 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We do not provide post-retirement benefits (other than pensions) or any post-employment benefits to our employees.

Derivative Instruments and Hedg

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Note 16 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities We periodically enter into derivative instruments to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We have documented policies and procedures to monitor and control the use of derivative instruments. We do not engage in derivative transactions for speculative or trading purposes, nor are we a party to leveraged derivatives. For foreign currency forward contracts, hedge effectiveness is evaluated at inception based on the matching of critical terms between derivative contracts and the hedged item. Any change in fair value resulting from ineffectiveness is recognized immediately in earnings. Cash Flow Hedges Several of our regions, including our operations in the North Sea, Australia and Brazil, have a significant amount of their cash operating expenses payable in local currencies. To limit the potential risk of currency fluctuations, we periodically enter into forward contracts, which settle monthly in the operations’ respective local currencies. All of these contracts have a maturity of less than 12 months. During 2015 and 2014, we entered into forward contracts of approximately $88 million and $195 million, respectively, all of which settled during their respective years. At both December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had no outstanding derivative contracts. Financial Statement Presentation To supplement the fair value disclosures in Note 17, the following summarizes the recognized gains and losses of cash flow hedges and non-designated derivatives through AOCL or through “other income” for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014: Gain/(loss) recognized through AOCL (Gain)/loss reclassified from AOCL to “contract drilling services” expense Gain/(loss) recognized through “contract drilling services” expense 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Cash flow hedges Foreign currency forward contracts $ (2,414 ) $ 4,286 $ 2,414 $ (4,286 ) $ — $ —

Financial Instruments and Credi

Financial Instruments and Credit Risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Instruments and Credit Risk	Note 17 - Financial Instruments and Credit Risk The following tables present the carrying amount and estimated fair value as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 of our financial instruments recognized at fair value on a recurring basis: December 31, 2015 Estimated Fair Value Measurements Quoted Significant Prices in Other Significant Active Observable Unobservable Carrying Markets Inputs Inputs Amount (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets— Marketable securities $ 6,352 $ 6,352 $ — $ — December 31, 2014 Estimated Fair Value Measurements Quoted Significant Prices in Other Significant Active Observable Unobservable Carrying Markets Inputs Inputs Amount (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets— Marketable securities $ 6,175 $ 6,175 $ — $ — Our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are by their nature short-term. As a result, the carrying values included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair value. Concentration of Credit Risk The market for our services is the offshore oil and gas industry, and our customers consist primarily of major integrated oil companies, government-owned oil companies and independent oil and gas producers. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and do not require material collateral. We maintain reserves for potential credit losses when necessary. Our results of operations and financial condition should be considered in light of the fluctuations in demand experienced by drilling contractors as changes in oil and gas producers’ expenditures and budgets occur. These fluctuations can impact our results of operations and financial condition as supply and demand factors directly affect utilization and dayrates, which are the primary determinants of our net cash provided by operating activities. Revenues from Shell and its affiliates accounted for approximately 49 percent, 55 percent and 67 percent of our consolidated operating revenues in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Revenues from Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (“Freeport”) accounted for approximately 14 percent of our consolidated operating revenues in 2015. Freeport did not account for more than 10 percent of our consolidated operating revenues in either 2014 or 2013. Revenues from Saudi Aramco accounted for approximately 10 percent of our consolidated operating revenues in 2013. Saudi Aramco did not account for more than 10 percent of our consolidated operating revenues in either 2015 or 2014. No other customer accounted for more than 10 percent of our consolidated operating revenues in 2015, 2014 or 2013.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies The Noble Homer Ferrington In December 2014, one of our subsidiaries reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) regarding our drillship, the Noble Discoverer, Kulluk Noble Discoverer Kulluk We have used a commercial agent in Brazil in connection with our Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (“Petrobras”) drilling contracts. We understand that this agent has represented a number of different companies in Brazil over many years, including several offshore drilling contractors. In November 2015, this agent pled guilty in Brazil in connection with the award of a drilling contract to a competitor and implicated a Petrobras official as part of a wider investigation of Petrobras’ business practices. Following news reports relating to the agent’s involvement in the Brazil investigation in connection with his activities with other companies, we have been conducting a review of our relationship with the agent and with Petrobras. We are in contact with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Brazilian federal prosecutor’s office and the DOJ about this matter. We are cooperating with these agencies and they are aware of our internal review. To our knowledge, neither the agent, nor the government authorities investigating the matter, has alleged that the agent or Noble acted improperly in connection with our contracts with Petrobras. We are from time to time a party to various lawsuits that are incidental to our operations in which the claimants seek an unspecified amount of monetary damages for personal injury, including injuries purportedly resulting from exposure to asbestos on drilling rigs and associated facilities. At December 31, 2015, there were 43 asbestos related lawsuits in which we are one of many defendants. These lawsuits have been filed in the United States in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. We intend to vigorously defend against the litigation. We do not believe the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We are a defendant in certain claims and litigation arising out of operations in the ordinary course of business, the resolution of which, in the opinion of management, will not be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. There is inherent risk in any litigation or dispute and no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these claims. We operate in a number of countries throughout the world and our tax returns filed in those jurisdictions are subject to review and examination by tax authorities within those jurisdictions. We recognize uncertain tax positions that we believe have a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being sustained. We cannot predict or provide assurance as to the ultimate outcome of any existing or future assessments. During 2014, the IRS began its examination of our tax reporting in the U.S. for the taxable years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011. We believe that we have accurately reported all amounts in our 2010 and 2011 tax returns. We believe the ultimate resolution of the IRS examination will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. Under the TSA entered into at the time of the Spin-off, Noble and Paragon Offshore are each responsible for the taxes that relate to their respective business and provide a corresponding indemnity. In addition, in February 2016, we entered into an agreement in principle with Paragon Offshore (the “Agreement in Principle”) relating to tax matters in Mexico described below in exchange for a full and unconditional release of any claims by Paragon Offshore in connection with the Spin-off (including any claims that could be brought on behalf of its creditors). Audit claims of approximately $174 million attributable to income and other business taxes have been assessed against us in Mexico, as detailed below. Under our Agreement in Principle, we agreed to assume the administration of Paragon Offshore’s Mexican income and value-added taxes for the years 2005 through 2010 and for Paragon Offshore’s Mexican customs taxes through 2010, as well as the related bonding obligations and certain of the tax related liabilities. In addition, under the Agreement in Principle, we would (i) pay all of the ultimate resolved amount of Mexican income and value-added taxes related to Paragon Offshore’s business that were incurred through a Noble-retained entity, (ii) pay 50 percent of the ultimate resolved amount of Mexican income and value-added taxes related to Paragon Offshore’s business that were incurred through a Paragon Offshore-retained entity, (iii) pay 50 percent of the ultimate resolved amount of Mexican custom taxes related to Paragon Offshore’s business, and (iv) be required to post any tax appeal bond that may be required to challenge a final assessment. Tax assessments of approximately $50 million for income and value-added taxes have been made against Noble entities in Mexico. Tax assessments for income and value-added taxes of approximately $202 million have been made against Paragon Offshore entities in Mexico, of which approximately $46 million relates to Noble’s business that operated through Paragon Offshore-retained entities in Mexico prior to the Spin-off. We will only be obligated to post a tax appeal bond in the event a final assessment is made by Mexican authorities. As of February 12, 2016, there have only been $3 million in final assessments that have been bonded. In January, 2015, Noble received an official notification of a ruling from the Second Chamber of the Supreme Court in Mexico. The ruling settled an ongoing dispute in Mexico relating to the classification of a Noble subsidiary’s business activity and the applicable rate of depreciation under the Mexican law applicable to the activities of that subsidiary. The ruling did not result in any additional tax liability to Noble. Additionally, the ruling is only applicable to the Noble subsidiary named in the ruling and, therefore, does not establish the depreciation rate applicable to the assets of other Noble subsidiaries. Under the Agreement in Principle, we would be responsible for any tax liability ultimately incurred because these depreciation liabilities would be incurred by Noble-retained entities, and such amounts are reflected in the discussion of Mexican audit claims in the preceding paragraph. We will continue to contest future assessments received, and do not believe we are liable for additional tax. Paragon Offshore has received tax assessments of approximately $122 million attributable to income, customs and other business taxes in Brazil, of which $38 million relates to Noble’s business that operated through a Paragon Offshore-retained entity in Brazil prior to the Spin-off. Under the TSA, we must indemnify Paragon Offshore for all assessed amounts that are related to Noble’s Brazil business, approximately $38 million, if and when such payments become due. We have contested, or intend to contest or cooperate with Paragon Offshore in Brazil where it is contesting, the assessments described above, including through litigation if necessary, and we believe the ultimate resolution, for which we have not made any accrual, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. Tax authorities may issue additional assessments or pursue legal actions as a result of tax audits and we cannot predict or provide assurance as to the ultimate outcome of such assessments and legal actions or our ability to collect indemnities from Paragon Offshore under the TSA or the Agreement in Principle. We have been notified by Petrobras that it is currently challenging assessments by Brazilian tax authorities of withholding taxes associated with the provision of drilling rigs for its operations in Brazil during 2008 and 2009. Petrobras has also notified us that if Petrobras must ultimately pay such withholding taxes, it will seek reimbursement from us for the portion allocable to our drilling rigs. The amount of withholding tax that Petrobras indicates may be allocable to Noble drilling rigs is R$79 million (approximately $20 million). We believe that our contract with Petrobras requires Petrobras to indemnify us for these withholding taxes. We will, if necessary, vigorously defend our rights. We maintain certain insurance coverage against specified marine perils, which includes physical damage and loss of hire. Damage caused by hurricanes has negatively impacted certain aspects of the energy insurance market, resulting in more restrictive and expensive coverage for U.S. named windstorm perils. Accordingly, we have elected to significantly reduce the named windstorm insurance on our rigs operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Presently, we insure the Noble Amos Runner Noble Bully I Although we maintain insurance in the geographic areas in which we operate, pollution, reservoir damage and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. Our insurance policies and contractual rights to indemnity may not adequately cover our losses or may have exclusions of coverage for some losses. We do not have insurance coverage or rights to indemnity for all risks, including loss of hire insurance on most of the rigs in our fleet. Uninsured exposures may include expatriate activities prohibited by U.S. laws and regulations, radiation hazards, certain loss or damage to property on board our rigs and losses relating to shore-based terrorist acts, strikes or cyber risks. If a significant accident or other event occurs and is not fully covered by insurance or contractual indemnity, it could materially adversely affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Additionally, there can be no assurance that those parties with contractual obligations to indemnify us will necessarily be financially able to indemnify us against all these risks. We carry protection and indemnity insurance covering marine third party liability exposures, which also includes coverage for employer’s liability resulting from personal injury to our offshore drilling crews. Our protection and indemnity policy currently has a standard deductible of $10 million per occurrence, with maximum liability coverage of $750 million. In connection with our capital expenditure program, we had outstanding commitments, including shipyard and purchase commitments of approximately $598 million at December 31, 2015. We have entered into agreements with certain of our executive officers, as well as certain other employees. These agreements become effective upon a change of control of Noble-UK (within the meaning set forth in the agreements) or a termination of employment in connection with or in anticipation of a change of control, and remain effective for three years thereafter. These agreements provide for compensation and certain other benefits under such circumstances.

Segment and Related Information

Segment and Related Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment and Related Information	Note 19 - Segment and Related Information We report our contract drilling operations as a single reportable segment, Contract Drilling Services, which reflects how we manage our business, and the fact that all of our drilling fleet is dependent upon the worldwide oil industry. The mobile offshore drilling units comprising our offshore rig fleet operate in a single, global market for contract drilling services and are often redeployed globally due to changing demands of our customers, which consist largely of major non-U.S. and government owned/controlled oil and gas companies throughout the world. As of December 31, 2015, our contract drilling services segment conducts contract drilling operations in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, West Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. The following table presents revenues and identifiable assets by country based on the location of the service provided: Revenues Identifiable Assets Year Ended December 31, As of December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 United States $ 1,941,485 $ 1,639,509 $ 1,338,634 $ 6,668,879 $ 6,739,636 Argentina 111,589 97,743 — 273,397 304,131 Australia 204,822 146,474 133,214 944,277 541,655 Benin — 66,077 41,251 — — Brazil 78,683 447,266 527,706 697,638 799,599 Denmark 77,934 28,980 — 501,747 272,788 Gabon 90,082 72,562 6,314 684,243 — Libya 136,406 — — — — Malaysia 149,597 11,126 — 890,991 1,144,498 New Zealand — 56,911 11,995 — — Saudi Arabia 226,251 260,544 246,083 495,501 479,525 Singapore (1) — — — 775,962 982,731 The Netherlands 67,765 82,026 — — 249,074 Turkey 97,065 13,960 — — 740,362 United Arab Emirates 67,117 108,044 71,896 352,546 331,812 United Kingdom 87,896 84,078 87,908 430,058 248,835 Other 15,560 117,204 73,142 176,745 452,176 Total $ 3,352,252 $ 3,232,504 $ 2,538,143 $ 12,891,984 $ 13,286,822 (1) Singapore consists primarily of asset values for newbuild rigs under construction in shipyards.

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Note 20 - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Noble-UK) The net effect of changes in other assets and liabilities on cash flows from operating activities is as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Accounts receivable $ 70,165 $ 29,730 $ (165,233 ) Other current assets 61,514 (3,201 ) (47,848 ) Other assets 106,354 (96,941 ) 34,757 Accounts payable (30,771 ) 63,546 50,731 Other current liabilities (57,496 ) (28,644 ) 61,644 Other liabilities (26,219 ) 86,037 2,731 $ 123,547 $ 50,527 $ (63,218 ) Additional cash flow information is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Cash paid during the period for: Interest, net of amounts capitalized $ 190,917 $ 159,835 $ 81,897 Income taxes (net of refunds) $ 89,292 $ 132,527 $ 219,088 Non-cash activities during the period: Spin-off of Paragon Offshore N/A $ 1,409,400 N/A
Noble Corp [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Note 21 - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Noble-Cayman) The net effect of changes in other assets and liabilities on cash flows from operating activities is as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Accounts receivable $ 70,165 $ 29,730 $ (165,233 ) Other current assets 23,047 (12,670 ) (48,186 ) Other assets 89,877 (96,925 ) 35,103 Accounts payable (28,538 ) 60,488 49,980 Other current liabilities (36,580 ) (21,921 ) 62,516 Other liabilities (25,562 ) 86,038 2,728 $ 92,409 $ 44,740 $ (63,092 ) Additional cash flow information is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Cash paid during the period for: Interest, net of amounts capitalized $ 190,917 $ 159,835 $ 81,897 Income taxes (net of refunds) $ 88,948 $ 130,356 $ 216,391 Non-cash activities during the period: Spin-off of Paragon Offshore N/A $ 1,409,400 N/A

Information about Noble-Cayman

Information about Noble-Cayman	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Guarantees [Abstract]
Information about Noble-Cayman	NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data) Note 22 - Information about Noble-Cayman Guarantees of Registered Securities In May 2014, as part of the separation of Paragon Offshore, NHC assumed all of the obligations of Noble Drilling Corporation (“NDC”) under the Senior Notes due 2019, and NDC was released from all obligations under the Senior Notes due 2019. As such, we removed NDC from the guarantor financial statements and NHC is no longer combined with Noble Drilling Holding, LLC (“NDH”), as they are now issuers and guarantors on separate debt instruments. We have recast prior periods presented to conform to the guarantor structure as it existed at December 31, 2015. Noble-Cayman, or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of Noble-Cayman, are a co-issuer or full and unconditional guarantor or otherwise obligated as of December 31, 2015 as follows: Issuer Notes (Co-Issuer(s)) Guarantor(s) $300 million 3.05% Senior Notes due 2016 NHIL Noble-Cayman $300 million 2.50% Senior Notes due 2017 NHIL Noble-Cayman $250 million 4.00% Senior Notes due 2018 NHIL Noble-Cayman $202 million 7.50% Senior Notes due 2019 NHC Noble-Cayman NDH Noble Drilling Services 6 LLC (“NDS6”) $500 million 4.90% Senior Notes due 2020 NHIL Noble-Cayman $400 million 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 NHIL Noble-Cayman $400 million 3.95% Senior Notes due 2022 NHIL Noble-Cayman $450 million 5.95% Senior Notes due 2025 NHIL Noble-Cayman $400 million 6.20% Senior Notes due 2040 NHIL Noble-Cayman $400 million 6.05% Senior Notes due 2041 NHIL Noble-Cayman $500 million 5.25% Senior Notes due 2042 NHIL Noble-Cayman $400 million 6.95% Senior Notes due 2045 NHIL Noble-Cayman The following consolidating financial statements of Noble-Cayman, NHC, NDH, NHIL, NDS6 and all other subsidiaries present investments in both consolidated and unconsolidated affiliates using the equity method of accounting. NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Noble Adjustments Total ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,627 $ — $ 2,101 $ — $ — $ 508,067 $ — $ 511,795 Accounts receivable — — 9,381 — — 489,550 — 498,931 Taxes receivable — 12,124 27 — — 43,291 — 55,442 Short-term notes receivable from affiliates — — 119,476 — — 171,925 (291,401 ) — Accounts receivable from affiliates 626,305 451,201 128,457 811,785 67,684 3,445,590 (5,531,022 ) — Prepaid expenses and other current assets 246 — 1,696 — — 166,527 — 168,469 Total current assets 628,178 463,325 261,138 811,785 67,684 4,824,950 (5,822,423 ) 1,234,637 Property and equipment, at cost — — 1,877,520 — — 12,177,038 — 14,054,558 Accumulated depreciation — — (344,591 ) — — (2,227,740 ) — (2,572,331 ) Property and equipment, net — — 1,532,929 — — 9,949,298 — 11,482,227 Notes receivable from affiliates 3,304,652 — 236,921 1,587,927 5,000 2,435,154 (7,569,654 ) — Investments in affiliates 5,159,064 2,174,480 3,001,327 9,752,912 7,438,397 — (27,526,180 ) — Other assets 5,954 — 7,496 25,944 395 118,869 — 158,658 Total assets $ 9,097,848 $ 2,637,805 $ 5,039,811 $ 12,178,568 $ 7,511,476 $ 17,328,271 $ (40,918,257 ) $ 12,875,522 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Short-term notes payables from affiliates $ — $ 171,925 $ — $ — $ — $ 119,476 $ (291,401 ) $ — Current maturities of long-term debt — — — 299,997 — — — 299,997 Accounts payable — — 10,676 — — 210,401 — 221,077 Accrued payroll and related costs — — 6,584 — — 74,780 — 81,364 Accounts payable to affiliates 868,046 60,100 2,440,965 96,543 6,426 2,058,942 (5,531,022 ) — Taxes payable — 917 — — — 87,191 — 88,108 Interest payable — — — 68,549 4,412 — — 72,961 Other current liabilities 40 — 4,108 — — 92,183 — 96,331 Total current liabilities 868,086 232,942 2,462,333 465,089 10,838 2,642,973 (5,822,423 ) 859,838 Long-term debt — — — 3,987,209 201,695 — — 4,188,904 Notes payable to affiliates 1,518,363 — 461,379 2,086,480 124,216 3,379,216 (7,569,654 ) — Deferred income taxes — — 1,529 — — 91,268 — 92,797 Other liabilities 19,929 — 25,312 — — 274,271 — 319,512 Total liabilities 2,406,378 232,942 2,950,553 6,538,778 336,749 6,387,728 (13,392,077 ) 5,461,051 Commitments and contingencies Total shareholder equity 6,691,470 2,404,863 2,089,258 5,639,790 7,174,727 9,781,284 (27,089,922 ) 6,691,470 Noncontrolling interests — — — — — 1,159,259 (436,258 ) 723,001 Total equity 6,691,470 2,404,863 2,089,258 5,639,790 7,174,727 10,940,543 (27,526,180 ) 7,414,471 Total liabilities and equity $ 9,097,848 $ 2,637,805 $ 5,039,811 $ 12,178,568 $ 7,511,476 $ 17,328,271 $ (40,918,257 ) $ 12,875,522 NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Noble Adjustments Total ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 5 $ — $ 254 $ — $ — $ 65,521 $ — $ 65,780 Accounts receivable — — 37,655 2,336 — 529,105 — 569,096 Taxes receivable — 63,373 752 — — 43,164 — 107,289 Short-term notes receivable from affiliates 123,449 — 1,077,965 — 333,966 171,925 (1,707,305 ) — Accounts receivable from affiliates 2,019,319 374,012 192,771 157,164 125,834 4,191,406 (7,060,506 ) — Prepaid expenses and other current assets 14,274 — 1,764 — — 123,631 — 139,669 Total current assets 2,157,047 437,385 1,311,161 159,500 459,800 5,124,752 (8,767,811 ) 881,834 Property and equipment, at cost — — 2,040,168 — — 12,364,203 — 14,404,371 Accumulated depreciation — — (278,147 ) — — (2,040,073 ) — (2,318,220 ) Property and equipment, net — — 1,762,021 — — 10,324,130 — 12,086,151 Notes receivable from affiliates 3,304,654 — 236,921 1,980,391 5,000 1,581,429 (7,108,395 ) — Investments in affiliates 4,567,335 1,318,239 2,921,452 8,266,444 6,290,918 — (23,364,388 ) — Other assets 2,908 — 6,212 19,826 517 192,791 — 222,254 Total assets $ 10,031,944 $ 1,755,624 $ 6,237,767 $ 10,426,161 $ 6,756,235 $ 17,223,102 $ (39,240,594 ) $ 13,190,239 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Short-term notes payables from affiliates $ — $ 171,925 $ — $ — $ 371,720 $ 1,163,660 $ (1,707,305 ) $ — Accounts payable 600 — 10,130 — — 250,282 — 261,012 Accrued payroll and related costs — — 7,738 — — 83,749 — 91,487 Accounts payable to affiliates 606,224 63,602 3,513,705 61,982 16,869 2,798,124 (7,060,506 ) — Taxes payable — — — — — 91,471 — 91,471 Interest payable 499 — — 57,053 4,412 — — 61,964 Other current liabilities 15,651 — 13,409 - - 110,890 — 139,950 Total current liabilities 622,974 235,527 3,544,982 119,035 393,001 4,498,176 (8,767,811 ) 645,884 Long-term debt 1,123,495 — — 3,543,830 201,695 — — 4,869,020 Notes payable to affiliates 1,769,068 — 598,715 1,169,180 192,216 3,379,216 (7,108,395 ) — Deferred income taxes — — — — — 120,589 — 120,589 Other liabilities 19,929 — 29,093 — — 286,942 — 335,964 Total liabilities 3,535,466 235,527 4,172,790 4,832,045 786,912 8,284,923 (15,876,206 ) 5,971,457 Commitments and contingencies Total shareholder equity 6,496,478 1,520,097 2,064,977 5,594,116 5,969,323 7,812,656 (22,961,169 ) 6,496,478 Noncontrolling interests — — — — — 1,125,523 (403,219 ) 722,304 Total equity 6,496,478 1,520,097 2,064,977 5,594,116 5,969,323 8,938,179 (23,364,388 ) 7,218,782 Total liabilities and equity $ 10,031,944 $ 1,755,624 $ 6,237,767 $ 10,426,161 $ 6,756,235 $ 17,223,102 $ (39,240,594 ) $ 13,190,239 NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME Year Ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Noble Adjustments Total Operating revenues Contract drilling services $ — $ — $ 354,657 $ — $ — $ 3,325,608 $ (418,655 ) $ 3,261,610 Reimbursables — — 18,529 — — 72,113 — 90,642 Revenue from affiliates — — — — — 200 — 200 Total operating revenues — — 373,186 — — 3,397,921 (418,655 ) 3,352,452 Operating costs and expenses Contract drilling services 3,611 19,160 395,365 84,005 — 1,142,891 (418,655 ) 1,226,377 Reimbursables — — 13,686 — — 56,590 — 70,276 Depreciation and amortization — — 77,187 — — 556,057 — 633,244 General and administrative 1,138 8,683 — 38,167 1 7,446 — 55,435 Loss on impairment — — 13 — — 418,285 — 418,298 Total operating costs and expenses 4,749 27,843 486,251 122,172 1 2,181,269 (418,655 ) 2,403,630 Operating income (loss) (4,749 ) (27,843 ) (113,065 ) (122,172 ) (1 ) 1,216,652 — 948,822 Other income (expense) Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates 591,297 73,319 190,335 936,429 647,856 — (2,439,236 ) — Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (75,925 ) (4,932 ) (12,110 ) (224,894 ) (25,578 ) (68,670 ) 198,255 (213,854 ) Interest income and other, net 24,188 4,852 52,026 71,617 5,165 75,071 (198,255 ) 34,664 Income before income taxes 534,811 45,396 117,186 660,980 627,442 1,223,053 (2,439,236 ) 769,632 Income tax provision — (77,929 ) (4,466 ) — — (80,225 ) — (162,620 ) Net Income 534,811 (32,533 ) 112,720 660,980 627,442 1,142,828 (2,439,236 ) 607,012 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — — (105,240 ) 33,039 (72,201 ) Net income attributable to Noble Corporation 534,811 (32,533 ) 112,720 660,980 627,442 1,037,588 (2,406,197 ) 534,811 Other comprehensive income, net 6,243 — — — — 6,243 (6,243 ) 6,243 Comprehensive income attributable to Noble Corporation $ 541,054 $ (32,533 ) $ 112,720 $ 660,980 $ 627,442 $ 1,043,831 $ (2,412,440 ) $ 541,054 NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME Year Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Noble Adjustments Total Operating revenues Contract drilling services $ — $ — $ 327,070 $ — $ — $ 3,067,195 $ (246,406 ) $ 3,147,859 Reimbursables — — 6,239 — — 78,405 — 84,644 Other — — — — — 1 — 1 Total operating revenues — — 333,309 — — 3,145,601 (246,406 ) 3,232,504 Operating costs and expenses Contract drilling services 30,885 39,039 120,971 115,909 — 1,447,073 (246,406 ) 1,507,471 Reimbursables — — 4,687 — — 61,691 — 66,378 Depreciation and amortization — — 65,164 — — 559,114 — 624,278 General and administrative 2,437 11,376 — 31,620 1 7,560 — 52,994 Loss on impairment — — — — — 745,428 — 745,428 Total operating costs and expenses 33,322 50,415 190,822 147,529 1 2,820,866 (246,406 ) 2,996,549 Operating income (loss) (33,322 ) (50,415 ) 142,487 (147,529 ) (1 ) 324,735 — 235,955 Other income (expense) Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—continuing operations (2,885,628 ) 157,648 (80,080 ) 604,419 448,785 — 1,754,856 — Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—discontinued operations, net of tax 223,083 50,565 28,580 170,845 6,240 — (479,313 ) — Total income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates (2,662,545 ) 208,213 (51,500 ) 775,264 455,025 — 1,275,543 — Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (93,536 ) (3,046 ) (24,974 ) (169,666 ) (33,671 ) (3,148,822 ) 3,318,536 (155,179 ) Interest income and other, net 2,913,631 — 249,005 89,449 3,308 64,267 (3,318,536 ) 1,124 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 124,228 154,752 315,018 547,518 424,661 (2,759,820 ) 1,275,543 81,900 Income tax provision — (68,805 ) (3,574 ) — (1,546 ) (32,005 ) — (105,930 ) Net income (loss) from continuing operations 124,228 85,947 311,444 547,518 423,115 (2,791,825 ) 1,275,543 (24,030 ) Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax — (18,655 ) 6,634 — — 235,104 — 223,083 Net Income 124,228 67,292 318,078 547,518 423,115 (2,556,721 ) 1,275,543 199,053 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — — (98,603 ) 23,778 (74,825 ) Net income attributable to Noble Corporation 124,228 67,292 318,078 547,518 423,115 (2,655,324 ) 1,299,321 124,228 Other comprehensive loss, net (21,732 ) — — — — (21,732 ) 21,732 (21,732 ) Comprehensive income attributable to Noble Corporation $ 102,496 $ 67,292 $ 318,078 $ 547,518 $ 423,115 $ (2,677,056 ) $ 1,321,053 $ 102,496 NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME Year Ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands) Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Noble Adjustments Total Operating revenues Contract drilling services $ — $ — $ 240,631 $ — $ — $ 2,291,475 $ (77,361 ) $ 2,454,745 Reimbursables — — 8,498 — — 57,794 — 66,292 Labor contract drilling services — — — — — 17,095 — 17,095 Other — — — — — 11 — 11 Total operating revenues — — 249,129 — — 2,366,375 (77,361 ) 2,538,143 Operating costs and expenses Contract drilling services 24,039 22,195 70,359 110,138 — 1,009,801 (77,361 ) 1,159,171 Reimbursables — — 6,850 — — 43,560 — 50,410 Labor contract drilling services — — — — — 11,601 — 11,601 Depreciation and amortization — — 62,778 — — 446,563 — 509,341 General and administrative 7,380 7,396 — 36,050 1 14,032 — 64,859 Loss on impairment — — — — — 3,585 — 3,585 Gain on disposal of assets, net — — — — — (35,646 ) — (35,646 ) Gain on contract settlements/extinguishments, net (45,000 ) — — — — 14,382 — (30,618 ) Total operating costs and expenses (13,581 ) 29,591 139,987 146,188 1 1,507,878 (77,361 ) 1,732,703 Operating income (loss) 13,581 (29,591 ) 109,142 (146,188 ) (1 ) 858,497 — 805,440 Other income (expense) Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—continuing operations 653,815 65,868 (53,235 ) 641,155 (1,136,831 ) — (170,772 ) — Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—discontinued operations, net of tax 321,804 45,098 308,188 431,149 63,235 — (1,169,474 ) — Total income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates 975,619 110,966 254,953 1,072,304 (1,073,596 ) — (1,340,246 ) — Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (127,995 ) (1,081 ) (23,156 ) (139,784 ) (45,897 ) (1,852,423 ) 2,084,036 (106,300 ) Interest income and other, net 6,609 — 262,717 154,442 1,569,003 94,821 (2,084,036 ) 3,556 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 867,814 80,294 603,656 940,774 449,509 (899,105 ) (1,340,246 ) 702,696 Income tax provision — (24,592 ) 3,655 — — (68,040 ) — (88,977 ) Net income from continuing operations 867,814 55,702 607,311 940,774 449,509 (967,145 ) (1,340,246 ) 613,719 Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax — (16,569 ) 24,529 (55 ) — 313,899 — 321,804 Net Income 867,814 39,133 631,840 940,719 449,509 (653,246 ) (1,340,246 ) 935,523 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — — (114,314 ) 46,605 (67,709 ) Net income attributable to Noble Corporation 867,814 39,133 631,840 940,719 449,509 (767,560 ) (1,293,641 ) 867,814 Other comprehensive income, net 33,285 — — — — 33,285 (33,285 ) 33,285 Comprehensive income attributable to Noble Corporation $ 901,099 $ 39,133 $ 631,840 $ 940,719 $ 449,509 $ (734,275 ) $ (1,326,926 ) $ 901,099 NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Year Ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Noble Adjustments Total Cash flows from operating activities Net cash from operating activities $ (31,562 ) $ (53,686 ) $ 15,207 $ (267,735 ) $ (20,292 ) $ 2,105,575 $ — $ 1,747,507 Cash flows from investing activities Capital expenditures — — (116,594 ) — — (320,557 ) — (437,151 ) Proceeds from disposal of assets — — — — — 4,614 — 4,614 Notes receivable from affiliates 124,951 — — 608,771 — — (733,722 ) — Net cash from investing activities 124,951 — (116,594 ) 608,771 — (315,943 ) (733,722 ) (432,537 ) Cash flows from financing activities Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities (1,123,495 ) — — — — — — (1,123,495 ) Repayment of long-term debt — — — (350,000 ) — — — (350,000 ) Issuance of senior notes — — — 1,092,728 — — — 1,092,728 Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities (6,450 ) — — (9,620 ) — — — (16,070 ) Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests — — — — — (71,504 ) — (71,504 ) Distributions to parent company, net (400,614 ) — — — — — — (400,614 ) Advances (to) from affiliates 2,047,563 53,686 103,234 (1,074,144 ) 20,292 (1,150,631 ) — — Notes payable to affiliates (608,771 ) — — — — (124,951 ) 733,722 — Net cash from financing activities (91,767 ) 53,686 103,234 (341,036 ) 20,292 (1,347,086 ) 733,722 (868,955 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents 1,622 — 1,847 — — 442,546 — 446,015 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 5 — 254 — — 65,521 — 65,780 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1,627 $ — $ 2,101 $ — $ — $ 508,067 $ — $ 511,795 NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Year Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Adjustments Total Cash flows from operating activities Net cash from operating activities $ 2,825,524 $ (151,987 ) $ 366,583 $ (232,605 ) $ (31,788 ) $ (903,811 ) $ — $ 1,871,916 Cash flows from investing activities Capital expenditures — — (1,404,560 ) — — (704,574 ) — (2,109,134 ) Notes receivable from affiliates 50 — — 273,744 — — (273,794 ) — Net cash from investing activities 50 — (1,404,560 ) 273,744 — (704,574 ) (273,794 ) (2,109,134 ) Cash flows from financing activities Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities (437,647 ) — — — — — — (437,647 ) Repayment of long-term debt — — — (250,000 ) — — — (250,000 ) Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore — — — — — 1,710,550 — 1,710,550 Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore — — — — — (14,676 ) (14,676 ) Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-Off — — — — — (104,152 ) — (104,152 ) Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests — — — — — (79,966 ) — (79,966 ) Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities (398 ) — — — — — — (398 ) Distributions to parent company, net (631,095 ) — — — — — — (631,095 ) Advances (to) from affiliates (1,482,686 ) 151,987 1,037,829 208,857 31,788 52,225 — — Notes payable to affiliates (273,744 ) — — — — (50 ) 273,794 — Net cash from financing activities (2,825,570 ) 151,987 1,037,829 (41,143 ) 31,788 1,563,931 273,794 192,616 Net change in cash and cash equivalents 4 — (148 ) (4 ) — (44,454 ) — (44,602 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1 — 402 4 — 109,975 — 110,382 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 5 $ — $ 254 $ — $ — $ 65,521 $ — $ 65,780 NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Year Ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands) Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Adjustments Total Cash flows from operating activities Net cash from operating activities $ (117,993 ) $ (133,595 ) $ 424,147 $ (128,315 ) $ 1,523,225 $ 201,161 $ — $ 1,768,630 Cash flows from investing activities Capital expenditures — — (1,594,449 ) — — (949,755 ) — (2,544,204 ) Notes receivable from affiliates — — — — — 294,798 (294,798 ) — Proceeds from disposal of assets — — — — — 61,000 — 61,000 Net cash from investing activities — — (1,594,449 ) — — (593,957 ) (294,798 ) (2,483,204 ) Cash flows from financing activities Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities 1,221,333 — — — — — — 1,221,333 Repayment of long-term debt (300,000 ) — — — — — — (300,000 ) Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests — — — — — (105,388 ) — (105,388 ) Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities (2,484 ) — — — — — — (2,484 ) Distributions to parent company, net (265,880 ) — — — — — — (265,880 ) Advances (to) from affiliates (241,180 ) 133,595 1,169,800 128,317 (1,523,225 ) 332,693 — — Notes payable to affiliates (294,798 ) — — — — — 294,798 — Net cash from financing activities 116,991 133,595 1,169,800 128,317 (1,523,225 ) 227,305 294,798 547,581 Net change in cash and cash equivalents (1,002 ) — (502 ) 2 — (165,491 ) — (166,993 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,003 — 904 2 — 275,466 — 277,375 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1 $ — $ 402 $ 4 $ — $ 109,975 $ — $ 110,382

Unaudited Interim Financial Dat

Unaudited Interim Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Unaudited Interim Financial Data	Note 23 - Unaudited Interim Financial Data Unaudited interim consolidated financial information from continuing operations for Noble-UK for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: Quarter Ended Mar. 31 Jun. 30 Sep. 30 Dec. 31 2015 Operating revenues $ 804,342 $ 793,555 $ 896,671 $ 857,684 Operating income (loss) 284,359 275,149 409,973 (49,480 ) Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK 178,403 159,031 325,807 (152,241 ) Net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK (1) Basic 0.72 0.64 1.32 (0.63 ) Diluted 0.72 0.64 1.32 (0.63 ) Quarter Ended Mar. 31 Jun. 30 Sep. 30 Dec. 31 2014 Operating revenues $ 795,187 $ 803,781 $ 828,796 $ 804,740 Operating income (loss) 248,968 235,205 243,633 (541,864 ) Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK 154,814 140,325 147,389 (594,539 ) Net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK (1) Basic 0.60 0.54 0.57 (2.38 ) Diluted 0.60 0.54 0.57 (2.38 ) (1) Net income (loss) per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarters’ net income (loss) per share may not equal the total computed for the year.

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Note 24 - Subsequent Event On February 12, 2016, we entered into an agreement in principle for a settlement with Paragon Offshore under which, in exchange for a full and unconditional release of any claims by Paragon Offshore in connection with the Spin-off (including certain claims that could be brought on behalf of Paragon Offshore’s creditors), we agreed to assume the administration of Mexican tax claims for specified years up to and including 2010, as well as the related bonding obligations and certain of the related tax liabilities. The Company expects the tax liability payments related to the settlement to be spread over a number of years. Our agreement in principle with Paragon Offshore is subject to approval of the bankruptcy court following Paragon Offshore’s filing of a pre-negotiated bankruptcy plan. Once the settlement with Paragon Offshore is approved by the bankruptcy court, the Company would take a charge related to the agreement.

Organization and Significant 32

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization and Business	Organization and Business Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Noble-UK”), is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. We perform contract drilling services with our global fleet of mobile offshore drilling units. As of the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our fleet of 30 drilling rigs consisted of 14 jackups, eight drillships and eight semisubmersibles, including one high-specification, harsh environment jackup under construction. At December 31, 2015, our fleet was located in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, West Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Noble and its predecessors have been engaged in the contract drilling of oil and gas wells since 1921. On November 20, 2013, pursuant to the Merger Agreement dated as of June 30, 2013 between Noble Corporation, a Swiss corporation (“Noble-Swiss”), and Noble-UK, Noble-Swiss merged with and into Noble-UK, with Noble-UK as the surviving company (the “Transaction”). In the Transaction, all of the outstanding ordinary shares of Noble-Swiss were cancelled, and Noble-UK issued, through an exchange agent, one ordinary share of Noble-UK in exchange for each ordinary share of Noble-Swiss. The Transaction effectively changed the place of incorporation of our publicly traded parent holding company from Switzerland to the United Kingdom. Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands company (“Noble-Cayman”), is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Noble-UK, our publicly-traded parent company. Noble-UK’s principal asset is all of the shares of Noble-Cayman. Noble-Cayman has no public equity outstanding. The consolidated financial statements of Noble-UK include the accounts of Noble-Cayman, and Noble-UK conducts substantially all of its business through Noble-Cayman and its subsidiaries.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include our accounts, those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and entities in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of two joint ventures, in each of which we own a 50 percent interest. Our ownership interest meets the definition of variable interest under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) codification and we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation Although we are a UK company, we define foreign currency as any non-U.S. denominated currency. In non-U.S. locations where the U.S. Dollar has been designated as the functional currency (based on an evaluation of factors including the markets in which the subsidiary operates, inflation, generation of cash flow, financing activities and intercompany arrangements), local currency transaction gains and losses are included in net income. In non-U.S. locations where the local currency is the functional currency, assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange on the balance sheet date, while income statement items are translated at average rates of exchange during the year. The resulting gains or losses arising from the translation of accounts from the functional currency to the U.S. Dollar are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We did not recognize any material gains or losses on foreign currency transactions or translations during the three years ended December 31, 2015.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits with banks and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are subject to potential credit risk, and certain of our cash accounts carry balances greater than the federally insured limits. Cash and cash equivalents are primarily held by major banks or investment firms. Our cash management and investment policies restrict investments to lower risk, highly liquid securities and we perform periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of the financial institutions with which we conduct business.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment is stated at cost, reduced by provisions to recognize economic impairment in value whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. Major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When assets are sold, retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and the gain or loss is recognized. Drilling equipment and facilities are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as of the date placed in service or date of major refurbishment. Estimated useful lives of our drilling equipment range from three to thirty years. Other property and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over useful lives ranging from two to forty years. Included in accounts payable were $44 million and $70 million of capital accruals as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Interest is capitalized on construction-in-progress using the weighted average cost of debt outstanding during the period of construction. Scheduled maintenance of equipment is performed based on the number of hours operated in accordance with our preventative maintenance program. Routine repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred; however, the costs of the overhauls and asset replacement projects that benefit future periods and which typically occur every three to five years are capitalized when incurred and depreciated over an equivalent period. These overhauls and asset replacement projects are included in “Drilling equipment and facilities” in Note 7. Such amounts, net of accumulated depreciation, totaled $202 million and $179 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Depreciation expense from continuing operations related to overhauls and asset replacement totaled $75 million, $77 million and $70 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We evaluate the impairment of property and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In addition, on an annual basis, we complete an impairment analysis on our rig fleet. An impairment loss on our property and equipment exists when the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount. Any impairment loss recognized represents the excess of the asset’s carrying value over the estimated fair value. As part of this analysis, we make assumptions and estimates regarding future market conditions. To the extent actual results do not meet our estimated assumptions, for a given rig class, we may take an impairment loss in the future. For additional information, see Note 11.
Deferred Costs	Deferred Costs Deferred debt issuance costs are being amortized through interest expense over the life of the debt securities.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Our typical dayrate drilling contracts require our performance of a variety of services for a specified period of time. We determine progress towards completion of the contract by measuring efforts expended and the cost of services required to perform under a drilling contract, as the basis for our revenue recognition. Revenues generated from our dayrate-basis drilling contracts and labor contracts are recognized on a per day basis as services are performed and begin upon the contract commencement, as defined under the specified drilling or labor contract. Dayrate revenues are typically earned, and contract drilling expenses are typically incurred ratably over the term of our drilling contracts. We review and monitor our performance under our drilling contracts to confirm the basis for our revenue recognition. Revenues from bonuses are recognized when earned, and when collectability is reasonably assured. In our dayrate drilling contracts, we typically receive compensation and incur costs for mobilization, equipment modification or other activities prior to the commencement of a contract. Any such compensation may be paid through a lump-sum payment or other daily compensation. Pre-contract compensation and costs are deferred until the contract commences. The deferred pre-contract compensation and costs are amortized, using the straight-line method, into income over the term of the initial contract period, regardless of the activity taking place. This approach is consistent with the economics for which the parties have contracted. Once a contract commences, we may conduct various activities, including drilling and well bore related activities, rig maintenance and equipment installation, movement between well locations or other activities. Deferred revenues from drilling contracts totaled $180 million and $263 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Such amounts are included in either “Other current liabilities” or “Other liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon our expected time of recognition. Related expenses deferred under drilling contracts totaled $78 million at December 31, 2015 as compared to $94 million at December 31, 2014, and are included in either “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” or “Other assets” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon our expected time of recognition. In April 2015, we agreed to contract dayrate reductions for five rigs working for Saudi Arabian Oil Company (“Saudi Aramco”), which were effective from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015. However, given current market conditions and based on discussions with the customer, we do not expect the rates to return to the original contract rates. In accordance with accounting guidance, we are recognizing the reductions on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the existing Saudi Aramco contracts. At December 31, 2015, revenues recorded in excess of billings as a result of this recognition totaled $53 million, and are included in either “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” or “Other assets” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon our expected time of recognition. We record reimbursements from customers for “out-of-pocket” expenses as revenues and the related direct cost as operating expenses.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income taxes are based on the laws and rates in effect in the countries in which operations are conducted or in which we or our subsidiaries are considered resident for income tax purposes. In certain circumstances, we expect that, due to changing demands of the offshore drilling markets and the ability to redeploy our offshore drilling units, certain of such units will not reside in a location long enough to give rise to future tax consequences. As a result, no deferred tax asset or liability has been recognized in these circumstances. Should our expectations change regarding the length of time an offshore drilling unit will be used in a given location, we will adjust deferred taxes accordingly. We operate through various subsidiaries in numerous countries throughout the world, including the United States. Consequently, we are subject to changes in tax laws, treaties or regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof in the U.S., UK or jurisdictions in which we or any of our subsidiaries operate or are resident. Our income tax expense is based upon our interpretation of the tax laws in effect in various countries at the time that the expense was incurred. If the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or other taxing authorities do not agree with our assessment of the effects of such laws, treaties and regulations, this could have a material adverse effect on us including the imposition of a higher effective tax rate on our worldwide earnings or a reclassification of the tax impact of our significant corporate restructuring transactions.
Insurance Reserves	Insurance Reserves We maintain various levels of self-insured retention for certain losses including property damage, loss of hire, employment practices liability, employers’ liability and general liability, among others. We accrue for property damage and loss of hire charges on a per event basis. Employment practices liability claims are accrued based on actual claims during the year. Maritime employer’s liability claims are generally estimated using actuarial determinations. General liability claims are estimated by our internal claims department by evaluating the facts and circumstances of each claim (including incurred but not reported claims) and making estimates based upon historical experience with similar claims. At both December 31, 2015 and 2014, loss reserves for personal injury and protection claims totaled $21 million, and such amounts are included in “Other current liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share Our unvested share-based payment awards, which contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends, are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the “two-class” method. The “two-class” method allocates undistributed earnings between common shares and participating securities. The diluted earnings per share calculation under the “two-class” method also includes the dilutive effect of potential shares issued in connection with stock options. The dilutive effect of stock options is determined using the treasury stock method.
Share-Based Compensation Plans	Share-Based Compensation Plans We record the grant date fair value of share-based compensation arrangements as compensation cost using a straight-line method over the service period. Share-based compensation is expensed or capitalized based on the nature of the employee’s activities.
Certain Significant Estimates	Certain Significant Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Certain accounting policies involve judgments and uncertainties to such an extent that there is reasonable likelihood that materially different amounts could have been reported under different conditions, or if different assumptions had been used. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on a regular basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Pronouncements	Accounting Pronouncements In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, which amends FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements” and ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment.” This ASU alters the definition of a discontinued operation to cover only asset disposals that are a strategic shift with a major effect on an entity’s operations and finances, and calls for more extensive disclosures about a discontinued operation’s assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The guidance is effective for all disposals, or classifications as held-for-sale, of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. This standard was not early adopted in connection with the Spin-off. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which creates ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” including most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. In addition, ASU 2014-09 supersedes the cost guidance in Subtopic 605-35, “Revenue Recognition—Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts,” and creates new Subtopic 340-40, “Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers.” In summary, the core principle of Topic 606 is to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. Companies are allowed to select between two transition methods: (1) a full retrospective transition method with the application of the new guidance to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) a retrospective transition method that recognizes the cumulative effect on prior periods at the date of adoption together with additional footnote disclosures. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early application is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and have not made any decision on the method of adoption. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, which amends ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and should not be reflected in the estimate of the grant-date fair value of the award. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The guidance can be applied prospectively for all awards granted or modified after the effective date or retrospectively to all awards with performance targets outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, which amends ASC Subtopic 205-40, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to continue as a Going Concern.” The amendments in this ASU provide guidance related to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The amendments are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, which amends ASC Subtopic 225-20, “Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items.” The amendment in this ASU eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. The amendments in this update are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, which amends ASC Subtopic 810, “Consolidations.” This amendment affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, the amendments modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities; eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The standard may be applied retrospectively or through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, which amends ASC Subtopic 835-30, “Interest – Imputation of Interest.” The guidance requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the associated debt liability. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 which amends ASC Subtopic 835-30, “Interest – Imputation of Interest.” The guidance allows a debt issuance cost related to a line-of-credit to be presented in the balance sheet as an asset and subsequently amortized ratably over the term of the line-of credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-04, which amends ASC Topic 715, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits.” The guidance gives an employer whose fiscal year end does not coincide with a calendar month end the ability, as a practical expedient, to measure defined benefit retirement obligations and related plan assets as of the month end that is closest to its fiscal year end. The ASU also provides a similar practical expedient for interim remeasurements of significant events. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-12, which amends ASC Topic 960, “Plan Accounting-Defined Benefit Pension Plans,” ASC Topic 962, “Defined Contribution Pension Plans” and ASC Topic 965, “Health and Welfare Benefit Plans.” There are three parts to the ASU that aim to simplify the accounting and presentation of plan accounting. Part I of this ASU requires fully benefit-responsive investment contracts to be measured at contract value instead of the current fair value measurement. Part II of this ASU requires investments (both participant-directed and nonparticipant-directed investments) of employee benefit plans be grouped only by general type, eliminating the need to disaggregate the investments in multiple ways. Part III of this ASU provides a similar measurement date practical expedient for employee benefit plans as available in ASU No. 2015-04, which allows employers to measure defined benefit plan assets on a month-end date that is nearest to the year’s fiscal year-end when the fiscal period does not coincide with a month-end. Parts I and II of the new guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis. Part III of the new guidance should be applied on a prospective basis. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, which amends Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” This amendment eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination at the acquisition date with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill, and revise comparative information for prior periods presented in financial statements. Those adjustments are required when new information about circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date would have affected the measurement of the amount initially recognized. This update requires an entity to recognize these adjustments in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. An acquirer must record the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. An entity must present separately on the face of the income statement, or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment had been recognized as of the acquisition date. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, which amends ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” This amendment aligns the presentation of deferred income tax assets and liabilities with International Financial Reporting Standards. International Accounting Standard 1, Presentation of Financial Statements

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Operation from Discontinued Operations	The following table provides the results of operations from discontinued operations: 2014 2013 Operating revenues Contract drilling services $ 993,253 $ 1,615,325 Reimbursables 21,899 45,582 Labor contract drilling services 19,304 35,146 Other 2 94 Operating revenues from discontinued operations $ 1,034,458 $ 1,696,147 Income from discontinued operations Income from discontinued operations before income taxes $ 216,391 $ 379,591 Income tax provision (55,889 ) (75,489 ) Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ 160,502 $ 304,102

Earnings per Share (Tables)

Earnings per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share for Noble-UK	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for Noble-UK: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Basic Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 511,000 $ (152,011 ) $ 478,595 Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards (11,208 ) — (5,669 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations to common shareholders 499,792 (152,011 ) 472,926 Income from discontinued operations — 160,502 304,102 Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards — — (3,602 ) Income from discontinued operations, net of tax to common shareholders — 160,502 300,500 Net income attributable to Noble-UK 511,000 8,491 782,697 Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards (11,208 ) — (9,271 ) Net income to common shareholders—basic $ 499,792 $ 8,491 $ 773,426 Diluted Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 511,000 $ (152,011 ) $ 478,595 Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards (11,208 ) — (5,663 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations to common shareholders 499,792 (152,011 ) 472,932 Income from discontinued operations — 160,502 304,102 Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards — — (3,598 ) Income from discontinued operations, net of tax to common shareholders — 160,502 300,504 Net income attributable to Noble-UK 511,000 8,491 782,697 Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards (11,208 ) — (9,261 ) Net income to common shareholders—diluted $ 499,792 $ 8,491 $ 773,436 Weighted average shares outstanding—basic 242,146 252,909 253,288 Incremental shares issuable from assumed exercise of stock options — — 259 Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted 242,146 252,909 253,547 Weighted average unvested share-based payment awards 5,430 — 3,036 Earnings per share Basic Continuing operations $ 2.06 $ (0.60 ) $ 1.86 Discontinued operations — 0.63 1.19 Net income attributable to Noble-UK $ 2.06 $ 0.03 $ 3.05 Diluted Continuing operations $ 2.06 $ (0.60 ) $ 1.86 Discontinued operations — 0.63 1.19 Net income attributable to Noble-UK $ 2.06 $ 0.03 $ 3.05 Dividends per share $ 1.28 $ 1.50 $ 0.76

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, at Cost	Property and equipment, at cost, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 for Noble-UK consisted of the following: 2015 2014 Drilling equipment and facilities $ 13,074,804 $ 13,254,240 Construction in progress 761,347 969,985 Other 220,172 218,697 Property and equipment, at cost $ 14,056,323 $ 14,442,922

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Our debt consisted of the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014: December 31, December 31, 2015 2014 Senior unsecured notes: 3.45% Senior Notes due 2015 $ — $ 350,000 3.05% Senior Notes due 2016 299,997 299,982 2.50% Senior Notes due 2017 299,956 299,920 4.00% Senior Notes due 2018 249,602 — 7.50% Senior Notes due 2019 201,695 201,695 4.90% Senior Notes due 2020 499,287 499,151 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 399,680 399,627 3.95% Senior Notes due 2022 399,354 399,264 5.95% Senior Notes due 2025 448,814 — 6.20% Senior Notes due 2040 399,896 399,895 6.05% Senior Notes due 2041 397,719 397,681 5.25% Senior Notes due 2042 498,338 498,310 6.95% Senior Notes due 2045 394,563 — Total senior unsecured notes 4,488,901 3,745,525 Credit facilities & commercial paper program — 1,123,495 Total debt 4,488,901 4,869,020 Less: Current maturities of long-term debt (299,997 ) — Total long-term debt $ 4,188,904 $ 4,869,020
Repayments of Total Debt	Aggregate principal repayments of total debt for the next five years and thereafter are as follows: 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total $ 299,997 $ 299,956 $ 249,602 $ 201,695 $ 499,287 $ 2,938,364 $ 4,488,901
Estimated Fair Value of Our Long-Term Debt	The following table presents the estimated fair value of our total debt as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Carrying Estimated Carrying Estimated Value Fair Value Value Fair Value Senior unsecured notes: 3.45% Senior Notes due 2015 $ — $ — $ 350,000 $ 354,992 3.05% Senior Notes due 2016 299,997 299,340 299,982 302,515 2.50% Senior Notes due 2017 299,956 284,334 299,920 287,014 4.00% Senior Notes due 2018 249,602 227,285 — — 7.50% Senior Notes due 2019 201,695 194,273 201,695 212,068 4.90% Senior Notes due 2020 499,287 378,761 499,151 471,095 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 399,680 289,450 399,627 363,837 3.95% Senior Notes due 2022 399,354 265,643 399,264 346,425 5.95% Senior Notes due 2025 448,814 308,870 — — 6.20% Senior Notes due 2040 399,896 237,005 399,895 350,351 6.05% Senior Notes due 2041 397,719 239,464 397,681 343,653 5.25% Senior Notes due 2042 498,338 279,919 498,310 385,181 6.95% Senior Notes due 2045 394,563 255,887 — — Total senior unsecured notes 4,488,901 3,260,231 3,745,525 3,417,131 Credit facilities and commercial paper program — — 1,123,495 1,123,496 Total debt $ 4,488,901 $ 3,260,231 $ 4,869,020 $ 4,540,627

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Share Repurchases	Share repurchases for each of the three years ended December 31 are as follows: Total Number Average Year Ended of Shares Price Paid December 31, Purchased Total Cost (1) per Share (1) 2015 6,209,400 $ 100,630 $ 16.21 2014 6,769,891 154,145 22.77 2013 190,187 7,653 40.24 (1) The total cost and average price paid per share includes the impact of commissions and stamp tax for share repurchases made in the open market.
Summary of Stock Options Granted	A summary of the status of stock options granted under both the 1991 Plan and 1992 Plan as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and the changes during the year ended on those dates is presented below: 2015 2014 2013 Number of Weighted Number of Weighted Number of Weighted Shares Average Shares Average Shares Average Underlying Exercise Underlying Exercise Underlying Exercise Options Price Options Price Options Price Outstanding at beginning of year 1,958,633 $ 28.43 1,808,987 $ 33.13 2,027,089 $ 32.44 Exercised — — (131,706 ) 20.08 (212,017 ) 26.66 Forfeited (281,479 ) 22.17 (57,871 ) 30.18 (6,085 ) 31.35 Spin-off adjustment — — 339,223 N/A — — Outstanding at end of year (1) 1,677,154 29.48 1,958,633 28.43 1,808,987 33.13 Exercisable at end of year (1) 1,677,154 $ 29.48 1,846,465 $ 28.35 1,510,929 $ 32.47 ( 1 ) Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2015 had no intrinsic value.
Additional Information about Stock Options Outstanding	The following table summarizes additional information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2015: Options Outstanding and Exercisable Number of Weighted Weighted Shares Average Average Underlying Remaining Exercise Options Life (Years) Price $20.49 to $25.41 311,704 3.65 $ 21.34 $25.42 to $30.59 593,387 4.07 29.53 $30.60 to $35.73 772,063 3.57 32.72 Total 1,677,154 3.76 $ 29.48
Summary of Status of Non-Vested Stock Options	A summary of the status of our non-vested stock options at December 31, 2015 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2015 is presented below: Shares Weighted-Average Under Outstanding Grant-Date Options Fair Value Non-Vested Options at January 1, 2015 112,168 $ 13.05 Vested (112,168 ) 13.05 Non-Vested Options at December 31, 2015 — $ —
Assumptions used to Value Performance-Vested Restricted Stock Awards	The assumptions used to value the PVRSU’s include historical volatility, risk-free interest rates, and expected dividends over a time period commensurate with the remaining term prior to vesting, as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Valuation assumptions: Expected volatility 34.0 % 33.0 % 34.8 % Expected dividend yield 9.4 % 4.7 % 1.3 % Risk-free interest rate 0.8 % 0.7 % 0.4 %
Summary of Restricted Share Awards	A summary of the RSU awards for each of the years in the period ended December 31 is as follows: 2015 2014 2013 TVRSU Units awarded (maximum available) 2,004,311 1,617,534 1,033,009 Weighted-average share price at award date $ 15.90 $ 31.56 $ 41.32 Weighted-average vesting period (years) 3.0 3.0 3.0 PVRSU Units awarded (maximum available) 1,205,130 740,364 565,650 Weighted-average share price at award date $ 15.94 $ 31.66 $ 41.42 Three-year performance period ended December 31 2017 2016 2015 Weighted-average award-date fair value $ 9.12 $ 19.66 $ 24.97
Summary of Status of Non-Vested Restricted Shares	A summary of the status of non-vested RSU’s at December 31, 2015 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2015 is presented below: Weighted Weighted Average Average TVRSU’s Award-Date PVRSU’s Award-Date Outstanding Fair Value Outstanding (1) Fair Value Non-vested RSU’s at January 1, 2015 1,881,179 $ 34.66 1,942,969 $ 21.44 Awarded 2,004,311 15.90 1,205,130 9.12 Vested (842,396 ) 35.52 — — Forfeited (333,419 ) 22.84 (601,962 ) 19.52 Non-vested RSU’s at December 31, 2015 2,709,675 $ 21.97 2,546,137 $ 16.06 (1) The number of PVRSU’s shown equals the units that would vest if the “maximum” level of performance is achieved. The minimum number of units is zero and the “target” level of performance is 50 percent of the amounts shown.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi38

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax [Abstract]
Changes in AOCL by Component	The following tables set forth the components of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” (“AOCL”) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and changes in AOCL by component for the year ended December 31, 2015. All amounts within the tables are shown net of tax. Gains / Defined (Losses) on Benefit Foreign Cash Flow Pension Currency Hedges (1) Items (2) Items Total Balance at December 31, 2013 $ — $ (58,598 ) $ (23,566 ) $ (82,164 ) Activity during period: Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (4,286 ) (30,952 ) (118 ) (35,356 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCL 4,286 9,338 — 13,624 Net other comprehensive income (loss) — (21,614 ) (118 ) (21,732 ) Spin-off of Paragon Offshore (3) — 21,772 12,706 34,478 Balance at December 31, 2014 $ — $ (58,440 ) $ (10,978 ) $ (69,418 ) Activity during period: Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 2,414 7,099 (5,278 ) 4,235 Amounts reclassified from AOCL (2,414 ) 4,422 — 2,008 Net other comprehensive income (loss) — 11,521 (5,278 ) 6,243 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ — $ (46,919 ) $ (16,256 ) $ (63,175 ) (1) Gains on cash flow hedges are related to our foreign currency forward contracts. Reclassifications from AOCL are recognized through “contract drilling services” expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 16 for additional information. (2) Defined benefit pension items relate to actuarial changes, the amortization of prior service costs and curtailment and settlement expenses. Reclassifications from AOCL are recognized as expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income through either “contract drilling services” or “general and administrative.” See Note 15 for additional information. (3) Reclassifications for the Spin-off of Paragon Offshore represent accumulated balances in AOCL that were transferred as part of the Spin-off.

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Net Deferred Taxes	The components of the net deferred taxes are as follows: 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets United States Deferred pension plan amounts $ 22,858 $ 23,497 Accrued expenses not currently deductible 20,041 14,250 Other 3,069 11,267 Non-U.S. Net operating loss carry forwards 3,800 6,907 Deferred pension plan amounts 2,347 3,096 Other 2,064 — Deferred tax assets 54,179 59,017 Less: valuation allowance (3,800 ) (6,907 ) Net deferred tax assets $ 50,379 $ 52,110 Deferred tax liabilities United States Excess of net book basis over remaining tax basis $ (126,096 ) $ (166,959 ) Other (10,277 ) (4,969 ) Non-U.S. Excess of net book basis over remaining tax basis (200 ) (200 ) Other (4,366 ) (397 ) Deferred tax liabilities (140,939 ) (172,525 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (90,560 ) $ (120,415 )
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes consists of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 United States $ 4,031 $ 38,206 $ 178,090 Non-U.S. 738,402 (8,741 ) 460,331 Total $ 742,433 $ 29,465 $ 638,421
Income Tax Provision for Continuing Operations	The income tax provision for continuing operations consists of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Current- United States $ 113,648 $ 50,829 $ 83,302 Current- Non-U.S. 81,756 74,288 23,836 Deferred- United States (38,103 ) (18,655 ) (14,032 ) Deferred- Non-U.S. 1,931 189 (989 ) Total $ 159,232 $ 106,651 $ 92,117
Reconciliation of Reserve for Uncertain Tax Positions, Excluding Interest and Penalties	The following is a reconciliation of our reserve for uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties: 2015 2014 2013 Gross balance at January 1, $ 108,812 $ 115,969 $ 115,009 Additions based on tax positions related to current year 31,022 16,880 2,318 Additions for tax positions of prior years 47,561 12,928 18,906 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (11,945 ) (8 ) (7,910 ) Expiration of statutes (1,237 ) (2,852 ) (2,633 ) Reduction due to Spin-off — (26,870 ) — Tax settlements (4,526 ) (7,235 ) (9,721 ) Gross balance at December 31, 169,687 108,812 115,969 Related tax benefits (14,369 ) (1,064 ) (2,038 ) Net reserve at December 31, $ 155,318 $ 107,748 $ 113,931
Summary of Liabilities Related to Reserve for Uncertain Tax Positions	The liabilities related to our reserve for uncertain tax positions are comprised of the following: 2015 2014 Reserve for uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties $ 155,318 $ 107,748 Interest and penalties included in “Other liabilities” 10,961 8,039 Reserve for uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties $ 166,279 $ 115,787
Reconciliation of Statutory and Effective Income Tax Rate	A reconciliation of tax rates outside of the United Kingdom and the Cayman Islands to our Noble-UK effective rate for continuing operations is shown below: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Effect of: Tax rates which are different than the UK and Cayman Island rates 14.4 % 19.3 % 15.5 % Tax impact of asset impairment 5.3 % 344.0 % 0.0 % Reserve for (resolution of) tax authority audits 1.7 % (1.3 )% (1.1 )% Total 21.4 % 362.0 % 14.4 %

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations for our Non - U.S. and U.S. Plans	A reconciliation of the changes in projected benefit obligations (“PBO”) for our non-U.S. and U.S. plans is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 72,553 $ 238,072 $ 161,591 $ 223,938 Service cost 3,344 8,596 4,777 8,901 Interest cost 2,546 9,198 4,650 10,546 Actuarial loss (gain) (2,778 ) (21,631 ) 6,145 51,524 Plan amendments — — 1,595 — Benefits paid (2,971 ) (5,845 ) (2,819 ) (4,262 ) Settlement — — — (34,397 ) Curtailment — — — (18,178 ) Plan participants’ contributions 363 — 266 — Foreign exchange rate changes (3,685 ) — (7,071 ) — Spin-off adjustment — — (96,581 ) — Benefit obligation at end of year $ 69,372 $ 228,390 $ 72,553 $ 238,072
Reconciliation of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets	A reconciliation of the changes in fair value of plan assets is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 77,714 $ 172,119 $ 174,257 $ 201,011 Actual return on plan assets 2,270 1,125 6,717 7,750 Employer contributions 2,182 548 6,863 2,017 Benefits and expenses paid (2,971 ) (5,845 ) (2,819 ) (4,262 ) Settlement — — — (34,397 ) Plan participants’ contributions 363 — 266 — Foreign exchange rate changes (3,703 ) — (11,068 ) — Spin-off adjustment — — (96,502 ) — Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 75,855 $ 167,947 $ 77,714 $ 172,119
Funded Status of Plans	The funded status of the plans is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Funded status $ 6,483 $ (60,443 ) $ 5,161 $ (65,953 )
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets	Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Other assets (noncurrent) $ 9,121 $ 1,134 $ 7,725 $ — Other liabilities (current) — (3,441 ) — (3,037 ) Other liabilities (noncurrent) (2,638 ) (58,136 ) (2,564 ) (62,916 ) Net amount recognized $ 6,483 $ (60,443 ) $ 5,161 $ (65,953 )
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Amounts recognized in AOCL consist of: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Net actuarial loss $ 10,017 $ 57,937 $ 11,793 $ 73,705 Prior service cost 1,378 326 1,531 468 Deferred income tax asset (2,347 ) (20,392 ) (3,096 ) (25,961 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ 9,048 $ 37,871 $ 10,228 $ 48,212
Pension Costs	Pension cost includes the following components: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Service Cost $ 3,344 $ 8,596 $ 4,777 $ 8,901 $ 5,496 $ 10,724 Interest Cost 2,546 9,198 4,650 10,546 5,085 9,049 Return on plan assets (3,673 ) (13,146 ) (6,117 ) (15,499 ) (5,836 ) (13,102 ) Amortization of prior service cost 104 142 46 196 — 227 Recognized net actuarial loss 315 6,158 769 2,857 1,670 7,639 Curtailment expense — — — 241 — — Settlement expense — — — 9,872 — — Net pension expense $ 2,636 $ 10,948 $ 4,125 $ 17,114 $ 6,415 $ 14,537
Disaggregated Plan Information	Disaggregated information regarding our non-U.S. and U.S. plans is summarized below: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Projected benefit obligation $ 69,372 $ 228,390 $ 72,553 $ 238,072 Accumulated benefit obligation 65,136 199,928 68,902 202,716 Fair value of plan assets 75,855 167,947 77,714 172,119
Plans in which PBO Exceeded Fair Value	The following table provides information related to those plans in which the PBO exceeded the fair value of the plan assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014. The PBO is the actuarially computed present value of earned benefits based on service to date and includes the estimated effect of any future salary increases. Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Projected benefit obligation $ 4,317 $ 202,566 $ 3,157 $ 238,072 Fair value of plan assets 1,679 140,988 592 172,119
Plans in which Accumulated Benefit Obligation Exceeded Fair Value of Plan Assets	The following table provides information related to those plans in which the accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) exceeded the fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014. The ABO is the actuarially computed present value of earned benefits based on service to date, but differs from the PBO in that it is based on current salary levels. Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Accumulated benefit obligation $ 1,853 $ 174,105 $ 1,355 $ 202,716 Fair value of plan assets 1,679 140,988 592 172,119
Defined Benefit Plans Key Assumptions	The key assumptions for the plans are summarized below: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations: Discount Rate 2.93%-3.90% 3.09%-4.48% 2.60%-3.70% 3.00%-4.10% Rate of compensation increase 3.60%-4.20% 2.00%-5.00% 3.60%-4.10% 5.00% Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Non-U.S. U.S. Weighted-average assumptions used to determine periodic benefit cost: Discount Rate 2.60%-3.70% 2.98%-4.38% 2.70%-4.70% 3.90%-5.10% 2.50%-4.50% 3.10%-4.20% Expected long-term return on assets 1.60%-4.90% 7.50% 2.30%-6.00% 7.80% 2.30%-5.70% 7.80% Rate of compensation increase 3.60%-4.10% 2.00%-5.00% 3.60%-4.50% 5.00% 3.60%-4.10% 5.00%
Schedule of Activity Related to Investments	third-party consultants employed by Noble. The following table details the activity related to these investments during the year. Market Value Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 592 Assets purchased 1,982 Assets sold/benefits paid (350 ) Return on plan assets (356 ) Loss on exchange rate (189 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 1,679
Estimated Benefit Payments	The following table summarizes our estimated benefit payments at December 31, 2015: Payments by Period Total 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Estimated benefit payments Non U.S. plans $ 28,225 $ 2,344 $ 2,436 $ 2,533 $ 2,635 $ 2,742 $ 15,535 U.S. plans 118,727 8,970 7,096 8,077 9,028 9,958 75,598 Total estimated benefit payments $ 146,952 $ 11,314 $ 9,532 $ 10,610 $ 11,663 $ 12,700 $ 91,133
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Actual Fair Values of Defined Benefit Plans	The actual fair values of Non-U.S. pension plans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: December 31, 2015 Estimated Fair Value Measurements Quoted Significant Prices in Other Significant Active Observable Unobservable Carrying Markets Inputs Inputs Amount (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Cash and cash equivalents $ 893 $ 893 $ — $ — Equity securities: International companies 56,926 56,926 — — Fixed income securities: Corporate bonds 16,357 — 16,357 — Other 1,679 — — 1,679 Total $ 75,855 $ 57,819 $ 16,357 $ 1,679 December 31, 2014 Estimated Fair Value Measurements Quoted Significant Prices in Other Significant Active Observable Unobservable Carrying Markets Inputs Inputs Amount (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Cash and cash equivalents $ 87 $ 87 $ — $ — Equity securities: International companies 53,261 53,261 — — Fixed income securities: Corporate bonds 23,774 — 23,774 — Other 592 — — 592 Total $ 77,714 $ 53,348 $ 23,774 $ 592
U.S. Plans [Member]
Actual Fair Values of Defined Benefit Plans	The actual fair values of U.S. pension plan assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: December 31, 2015 Estimated Fair Value Measurements Quoted Significant Prices in Other Significant Active Observable Unobservable Carrying Markets Inputs Inputs Amount (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,097 $ — $ 2,097 $ — Equity securities: United States 77,611 77,611 — — International 33,517 33,517 — — Fixed income securities: Corporate bonds 54,722 54,722 — — Total $ 167,947 $ 165,850 $ 2,097 $ — December 31, 2014 Estimated Fair Value Measurements Quoted Significant Prices in Other Significant Active Observable Unobservable Carrying Markets Inputs Inputs Amount (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,998 $ — $ 5,998 $ — Equity securities: United States 80,823 80,823 — — International 33,392 33,392 — — Fixed income securities: Corporate bonds 51,906 51,906 — — Total $ 172,119 $ 166,121 $ 5,998 $ —

Derivative Instruments and He41

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summarization of Recognized Gains and Losses of Cash Flow Hedges	To supplement the fair value disclosures in Note 17, the following summarizes the recognized gains and losses of cash flow hedges and non-designated derivatives through AOCL or through “other income” for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014: Gain/(loss) recognized through AOCL (Gain)/loss reclassified from AOCL to “contract drilling services” expense Gain/(loss) recognized through “contract drilling services” expense 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Cash flow hedges Foreign currency forward contracts $ (2,414 ) $ 4,286 $ 2,414 $ (4,286 ) $ — $ —

Financial Instruments and Cre42

Financial Instruments and Credit Risk (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Carrying Amount and Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments	The following tables present the carrying amount and estimated fair value as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 of our financial instruments recognized at fair value on a recurring basis: December 31, 2015 Estimated Fair Value Measurements Quoted Significant Prices in Other Significant Active Observable Unobservable Carrying Markets Inputs Inputs Amount (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets— Marketable securities $ 6,352 $ 6,352 $ — $ — December 31, 2014 Estimated Fair Value Measurements Quoted Significant Prices in Other Significant Active Observable Unobservable Carrying Markets Inputs Inputs Amount (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets— Marketable securities $ 6,175 $ 6,175 $ — $ —

Segment and Related Informati43

Segment and Related Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenues and Identifiable Assets by Country Based on the Location of the Service Provided	The following table presents revenues and identifiable assets by country based on the location of the service provided: Revenues Identifiable Assets Year Ended December 31, As of December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 United States $ 1,941,485 $ 1,639,509 $ 1,338,634 $ 6,668,879 $ 6,739,636 Argentina 111,589 97,743 — 273,397 304,131 Australia 204,822 146,474 133,214 944,277 541,655 Benin — 66,077 41,251 — — Brazil 78,683 447,266 527,706 697,638 799,599 Denmark 77,934 28,980 — 501,747 272,788 Gabon 90,082 72,562 6,314 684,243 — Libya 136,406 — — — — Malaysia 149,597 11,126 — 890,991 1,144,498 New Zealand — 56,911 11,995 — — Saudi Arabia 226,251 260,544 246,083 495,501 479,525 Singapore (1) — — — 775,962 982,731 The Netherlands 67,765 82,026 — — 249,074 Turkey 97,065 13,960 — — 740,362 United Arab Emirates 67,117 108,044 71,896 352,546 331,812 United Kingdom 87,896 84,078 87,908 430,058 248,835 Other 15,560 117,204 73,142 176,745 452,176 Total $ 3,352,252 $ 3,232,504 $ 2,538,143 $ 12,891,984 $ 13,286,822 (1) Singapore consists primarily of asset values for newbuild rigs under construction in shipyards.

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform44

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Effect of Changes in Other Assets and Liabilities on Cash Flows from Operating Activities	The net effect of changes in other assets and liabilities on cash flows from operating activities is as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Accounts receivable $ 70,165 $ 29,730 $ (165,233 ) Other current assets 61,514 (3,201 ) (47,848 ) Other assets 106,354 (96,941 ) 34,757 Accounts payable (30,771 ) 63,546 50,731 Other current liabilities (57,496 ) (28,644 ) 61,644 Other liabilities (26,219 ) 86,037 2,731 $ 123,547 $ 50,527 $ (63,218 )
Additional Cash Flow Information	Additional cash flow information is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Cash paid during the period for: Interest, net of amounts capitalized $ 190,917 $ 159,835 $ 81,897 Income taxes (net of refunds) $ 89,292 $ 132,527 $ 219,088 Non-cash activities during the period: Spin-off of Paragon Offshore N/A $ 1,409,400 N/A
Noble Corp [Member]
Effect of Changes in Other Assets and Liabilities on Cash Flows from Operating Activities	The net effect of changes in other assets and liabilities on cash flows from operating activities is as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Accounts receivable $ 70,165 $ 29,730 $ (165,233 ) Other current assets 23,047 (12,670 ) (48,186 ) Other assets 89,877 (96,925 ) 35,103 Accounts payable (28,538 ) 60,488 49,980 Other current liabilities (36,580 ) (21,921 ) 62,516 Other liabilities (25,562 ) 86,038 2,728 $ 92,409 $ 44,740 $ (63,092 )
Additional Cash Flow Information	Additional cash flow information is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Cash paid during the period for: Interest, net of amounts capitalized $ 190,917 $ 159,835 $ 81,897 Income taxes (net of refunds) $ 88,948 $ 130,356 $ 216,391 Non-cash activities during the period: Spin-off of Paragon Offshore N/A $ 1,409,400 N/A

Information about Noble-Cayman

Information about Noble-Cayman (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Guarantees [Abstract]
Guarantor Obligations	Noble-Cayman, or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of Noble-Cayman, are a co-issuer or full and unconditional guarantor or otherwise obligated as of December 31, 2015 as follows: Issuer Notes (Co-Issuer(s)) Guarantor(s) $300 million 3.05% Senior Notes due 2016 NHIL Noble-Cayman $300 million 2.50% Senior Notes due 2017 NHIL Noble-Cayman $250 million 4.00% Senior Notes due 2018 NHIL Noble-Cayman $202 million 7.50% Senior Notes due 2019 NHC Noble-Cayman NDH Noble Drilling Services 6 LLC (“NDS6”) $500 million 4.90% Senior Notes due 2020 NHIL Noble-Cayman $400 million 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 NHIL Noble-Cayman $400 million 3.95% Senior Notes due 2022 NHIL Noble-Cayman $450 million 5.95% Senior Notes due 2025 NHIL Noble-Cayman $400 million 6.20% Senior Notes due 2040 NHIL Noble-Cayman $400 million 6.05% Senior Notes due 2041 NHIL Noble-Cayman $500 million 5.25% Senior Notes due 2042 NHIL Noble-Cayman $400 million 6.95% Senior Notes due 2045 NHIL Noble-Cayman
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	NOBLE CORPORATION PLC AND SUBSIDIARIES NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unless otherwise indicated, dollar amounts in tables are in thousands, except per share data) The following consolidating financial statements of Noble-Cayman, NHC, NDH, NHIL, NDS6 and all other subsidiaries present investments in both consolidated and unconsolidated affiliates using the equity method of accounting. Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Noble Adjustments Total ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,627 $ — $ 2,101 $ — $ — $ 508,067 $ — $ 511,795 Accounts receivable — — 9,381 — — 489,550 — 498,931 Taxes receivable — 12,124 27 — — 43,291 — 55,442 Short-term notes receivable from affiliates — — 119,476 — — 171,925 (291,401 ) — Accounts receivable from affiliates 626,305 451,201 128,457 811,785 67,684 3,445,590 (5,531,022 ) — Prepaid expenses and other current assets 246 — 1,696 — — 166,527 — 168,469 Total current assets 628,178 463,325 261,138 811,785 67,684 4,824,950 (5,822,423 ) 1,234,637 Property and equipment, at cost — — 1,877,520 — — 12,177,038 — 14,054,558 Accumulated depreciation — — (344,591 ) — — (2,227,740 ) — (2,572,331 ) Property and equipment, net — — 1,532,929 — — 9,949,298 — 11,482,227 Notes receivable from affiliates 3,304,652 — 236,921 1,587,927 5,000 2,435,154 (7,569,654 ) — Investments in affiliates 5,159,064 2,174,480 3,001,327 9,752,912 7,438,397 — (27,526,180 ) — Other assets 5,954 — 7,496 25,944 395 118,869 — 158,658 Total assets $ 9,097,848 $ 2,637,805 $ 5,039,811 $ 12,178,568 $ 7,511,476 $ 17,328,271 $ (40,918,257 ) $ 12,875,522 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Short-term notes payables from affiliates $ — $ 171,925 $ — $ — $ — $ 119,476 $ (291,401 ) $ — Current maturities of long-term debt — — — 299,997 — — — 299,997 Accounts payable — — 10,676 — — 210,401 — 221,077 Accrued payroll and related costs — — 6,584 — — 74,780 — 81,364 Accounts payable to affiliates 868,046 60,100 2,440,965 96,543 6,426 2,058,942 (5,531,022 ) — Taxes payable — 917 — — — 87,191 — 88,108 Interest payable — — — 68,549 4,412 — — 72,961 Other current liabilities 40 — 4,108 — — 92,183 — 96,331 Total current liabilities 868,086 232,942 2,462,333 465,089 10,838 2,642,973 (5,822,423 ) 859,838 Long-term debt — — — 3,987,209 201,695 — — 4,188,904 Notes payable to affiliates 1,518,363 — 461,379 2,086,480 124,216 3,379,216 (7,569,654 ) — Deferred income taxes — — 1,529 — — 91,268 — 92,797 Other liabilities 19,929 — 25,312 — — 274,271 — 319,512 Total liabilities 2,406,378 232,942 2,950,553 6,538,778 336,749 6,387,728 (13,392,077 ) 5,461,051 Commitments and contingencies Total shareholder equity 6,691,470 2,404,863 2,089,258 5,639,790 7,174,727 9,781,284 (27,089,922 ) 6,691,470 Noncontrolling interests — — — — — 1,159,259 (436,258 ) 723,001 Total equity 6,691,470 2,404,863 2,089,258 5,639,790 7,174,727 10,940,543 (27,526,180 ) 7,414,471 Total liabilities and equity $ 9,097,848 $ 2,637,805 $ 5,039,811 $ 12,178,568 $ 7,511,476 $ 17,328,271 $ (40,918,257 ) $ 12,875,522 Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Noble Adjustments Total ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 5 $ — $ 254 $ — $ — $ 65,521 $ — $ 65,780 Accounts receivable — — 37,655 2,336 — 529,105 — 569,096 Taxes receivable — 63,373 752 — — 43,164 — 107,289 Short-term notes receivable from affiliates 123,449 — 1,077,965 — 333,966 171,925 (1,707,305 ) — Accounts receivable from affiliates 2,019,319 374,012 192,771 157,164 125,834 4,191,406 (7,060,506 ) — Prepaid expenses and other current assets 14,274 — 1,764 — — 123,631 — 139,669 Total current assets 2,157,047 437,385 1,311,161 159,500 459,800 5,124,752 (8,767,811 ) 881,834 Property and equipment, at cost — — 2,040,168 — — 12,364,203 — 14,404,371 Accumulated depreciation — — (278,147 ) — — (2,040,073 ) — (2,318,220 ) Property and equipment, net — — 1,762,021 — — 10,324,130 — 12,086,151 Notes receivable from affiliates 3,304,654 — 236,921 1,980,391 5,000 1,581,429 (7,108,395 ) — Investments in affiliates 4,567,335 1,318,239 2,921,452 8,266,444 6,290,918 — (23,364,388 ) — Other assets 2,908 — 6,212 19,826 517 192,791 — 222,254 Total assets $ 10,031,944 $ 1,755,624 $ 6,237,767 $ 10,426,161 $ 6,756,235 $ 17,223,102 $ (39,240,594 ) $ 13,190,239 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Short-term notes payables from affiliates $ — $ 171,925 $ — $ — $ 371,720 $ 1,163,660 $ (1,707,305 ) $ — Accounts payable 600 — 10,130 — — 250,282 — 261,012 Accrued payroll and related costs — — 7,738 — — 83,749 — 91,487 Accounts payable to affiliates 606,224 63,602 3,513,705 61,982 16,869 2,798,124 (7,060,506 ) — Taxes payable — — — — — 91,471 — 91,471 Interest payable 499 — — 57,053 4,412 — — 61,964 Other current liabilities 15,651 — 13,409 - - 110,890 — 139,950 Total current liabilities 622,974 235,527 3,544,982 119,035 393,001 4,498,176 (8,767,811 ) 645,884 Long-term debt 1,123,495 — — 3,543,830 201,695 — — 4,869,020 Notes payable to affiliates 1,769,068 — 598,715 1,169,180 192,216 3,379,216 (7,108,395 ) — Deferred income taxes — — — — — 120,589 — 120,589 Other liabilities 19,929 — 29,093 — — 286,942 — 335,964 Total liabilities 3,535,466 235,527 4,172,790 4,832,045 786,912 8,284,923 (15,876,206 ) 5,971,457 Commitments and contingencies Total shareholder equity 6,496,478 1,520,097 2,064,977 5,594,116 5,969,323 7,812,656 (22,961,169 ) 6,496,478 Noncontrolling interests — — — — — 1,125,523 (403,219 ) 722,304 Total equity 6,496,478 1,520,097 2,064,977 5,594,116 5,969,323 8,938,179 (23,364,388 ) 7,218,782 Total liabilities and equity $ 10,031,944 $ 1,755,624 $ 6,237,767 $ 10,426,161 $ 6,756,235 $ 17,223,102 $ (39,240,594 ) $ 13,190,239
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income	Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Noble Adjustments Total Operating revenues Contract drilling services $ — $ — $ 354,657 $ — $ — $ 3,325,608 $ (418,655 ) $ 3,261,610 Reimbursables — — 18,529 — — 72,113 — 90,642 Revenue from affiliates — — — — — 200 — 200 Total operating revenues — — 373,186 — — 3,397,921 (418,655 ) 3,352,452 Operating costs and expenses Contract drilling services 3,611 19,160 395,365 84,005 — 1,142,891 (418,655 ) 1,226,377 Reimbursables — — 13,686 — — 56,590 — 70,276 Depreciation and amortization — — 77,187 — — 556,057 — 633,244 General and administrative 1,138 8,683 — 38,167 1 7,446 — 55,435 Loss on impairment — — 13 — — 418,285 — 418,298 Total operating costs and expenses 4,749 27,843 486,251 122,172 1 2,181,269 (418,655 ) 2,403,630 Operating income (loss) (4,749 ) (27,843 ) (113,065 ) (122,172 ) (1 ) 1,216,652 — 948,822 Other income (expense) Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates 591,297 73,319 190,335 936,429 647,856 — (2,439,236 ) — Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (75,925 ) (4,932 ) (12,110 ) (224,894 ) (25,578 ) (68,670 ) 198,255 (213,854 ) Interest income and other, net 24,188 4,852 52,026 71,617 5,165 75,071 (198,255 ) 34,664 Income before income taxes 534,811 45,396 117,186 660,980 627,442 1,223,053 (2,439,236 ) 769,632 Income tax provision — (77,929 ) (4,466 ) — — (80,225 ) — (162,620 ) Net Income 534,811 (32,533 ) 112,720 660,980 627,442 1,142,828 (2,439,236 ) 607,012 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — — (105,240 ) 33,039 (72,201 ) Net income attributable to Noble Corporation 534,811 (32,533 ) 112,720 660,980 627,442 1,037,588 (2,406,197 ) 534,811 Other comprehensive income, net 6,243 — — — — 6,243 (6,243 ) 6,243 Comprehensive income attributable to Noble Corporation $ 541,054 $ (32,533 ) $ 112,720 $ 660,980 $ 627,442 $ 1,043,831 $ (2,412,440 ) $ 541,054 Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Noble Adjustments Total Operating revenues Contract drilling services $ — $ — $ 327,070 $ — $ — $ 3,067,195 $ (246,406 ) $ 3,147,859 Reimbursables — — 6,239 — — 78,405 — 84,644 Other — — — — — 1 — 1 Total operating revenues — — 333,309 — — 3,145,601 (246,406 ) 3,232,504 Operating costs and expenses Contract drilling services 30,885 39,039 120,971 115,909 — 1,447,073 (246,406 ) 1,507,471 Reimbursables — — 4,687 — — 61,691 — 66,378 Depreciation and amortization — — 65,164 — — 559,114 — 624,278 General and administrative 2,437 11,376 — 31,620 1 7,560 — 52,994 Loss on impairment — — — — — 745,428 — 745,428 Total operating costs and expenses 33,322 50,415 190,822 147,529 1 2,820,866 (246,406 ) 2,996,549 Operating income (loss) (33,322 ) (50,415 ) 142,487 (147,529 ) (1 ) 324,735 — 235,955 Other income (expense) Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—continuing operations (2,885,628 ) 157,648 (80,080 ) 604,419 448,785 — 1,754,856 — Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—discontinued operations, net of tax 223,083 50,565 28,580 170,845 6,240 — (479,313 ) — Total income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates (2,662,545 ) 208,213 (51,500 ) 775,264 455,025 — 1,275,543 — Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (93,536 ) (3,046 ) (24,974 ) (169,666 ) (33,671 ) (3,148,822 ) 3,318,536 (155,179 ) Interest income and other, net 2,913,631 — 249,005 89,449 3,308 64,267 (3,318,536 ) 1,124 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 124,228 154,752 315,018 547,518 424,661 (2,759,820 ) 1,275,543 81,900 Income tax provision — (68,805 ) (3,574 ) — (1,546 ) (32,005 ) — (105,930 ) Net income (loss) from continuing operations 124,228 85,947 311,444 547,518 423,115 (2,791,825 ) 1,275,543 (24,030 ) Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax — (18,655 ) 6,634 — — 235,104 — 223,083 Net Income 124,228 67,292 318,078 547,518 423,115 (2,556,721 ) 1,275,543 199,053 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — — (98,603 ) 23,778 (74,825 ) Net income attributable to Noble Corporation 124,228 67,292 318,078 547,518 423,115 (2,655,324 ) 1,299,321 124,228 Other comprehensive loss, net (21,732 ) — — — — (21,732 ) 21,732 (21,732 ) Comprehensive income attributable to Noble Corporation $ 102,496 $ 67,292 $ 318,078 $ 547,518 $ 423,115 $ (2,677,056 ) $ 1,321,053 $ 102,496 Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Noble Adjustments Total Operating revenues Contract drilling services $ — $ — $ 240,631 $ — $ — $ 2,291,475 $ (77,361 ) $ 2,454,745 Reimbursables — — 8,498 — — 57,794 — 66,292 Labor contract drilling services — — — — — 17,095 — 17,095 Other — — — — — 11 — 11 Total operating revenues — — 249,129 — — 2,366,375 (77,361 ) 2,538,143 Operating costs and expenses Contract drilling services 24,039 22,195 70,359 110,138 — 1,009,801 (77,361 ) 1,159,171 Reimbursables — — 6,850 — — 43,560 — 50,410 Labor contract drilling services — — — — — 11,601 — 11,601 Depreciation and amortization — — 62,778 — — 446,563 — 509,341 General and administrative 7,380 7,396 — 36,050 1 14,032 — 64,859 Loss on impairment — — — — — 3,585 — 3,585 Gain on disposal of assets, net — — — — — (35,646 ) — (35,646 ) Gain on contract settlements/extinguishments, net (45,000 ) — — — — 14,382 — (30,618 ) Total operating costs and expenses (13,581 ) 29,591 139,987 146,188 1 1,507,878 (77,361 ) 1,732,703 Operating income (loss) 13,581 (29,591 ) 109,142 (146,188 ) (1 ) 858,497 — 805,440 Other income (expense) Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—continuing operations 653,815 65,868 (53,235 ) 641,155 (1,136,831 ) — (170,772 ) — Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—discontinued operations, net of tax 321,804 45,098 308,188 431,149 63,235 — (1,169,474 ) — Total income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates 975,619 110,966 254,953 1,072,304 (1,073,596 ) — (1,340,246 ) — Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (127,995 ) (1,081 ) (23,156 ) (139,784 ) (45,897 ) (1,852,423 ) 2,084,036 (106,300 ) Interest income and other, net 6,609 — 262,717 154,442 1,569,003 94,821 (2,084,036 ) 3,556 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 867,814 80,294 603,656 940,774 449,509 (899,105 ) (1,340,246 ) 702,696 Income tax provision — (24,592 ) 3,655 — — (68,040 ) — (88,977 ) Net income from continuing operations 867,814 55,702 607,311 940,774 449,509 (967,145 ) (1,340,246 ) 613,719 Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax — (16,569 ) 24,529 (55 ) — 313,899 — 321,804 Net Income 867,814 39,133 631,840 940,719 449,509 (653,246 ) (1,340,246 ) 935,523 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — — (114,314 ) 46,605 (67,709 ) Net income attributable to Noble Corporation 867,814 39,133 631,840 940,719 449,509 (767,560 ) (1,293,641 ) 867,814 Other comprehensive income, net 33,285 — — — — 33,285 (33,285 ) 33,285 Comprehensive income attributable to Noble Corporation $ 901,099 $ 39,133 $ 631,840 $ 940,719 $ 449,509 $ (734,275 ) $ (1,326,926 ) $ 901,099
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Noble Adjustments Total Cash flows from operating activities Net cash from operating activities $ (31,562 ) $ (53,686 ) $ 15,207 $ (267,735 ) $ (20,292 ) $ 2,105,575 $ — $ 1,747,507 Cash flows from investing activities Capital expenditures — — (116,594 ) — — (320,557 ) — (437,151 ) Proceeds from disposal of assets — — — — — 4,614 — 4,614 Notes receivable from affiliates 124,951 — — 608,771 — — (733,722 ) — Net cash from investing activities 124,951 — (116,594 ) 608,771 — (315,943 ) (733,722 ) (432,537 ) Cash flows from financing activities Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities (1,123,495 ) — — — — — — (1,123,495 ) Repayment of long-term debt — — — (350,000 ) — — — (350,000 ) Issuance of senior notes — — — 1,092,728 — — — 1,092,728 Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities (6,450 ) — — (9,620 ) — — — (16,070 ) Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests — — — — — (71,504 ) — (71,504 ) Distributions to parent company, net (400,614 ) — — — — — — (400,614 ) Advances (to) from affiliates 2,047,563 53,686 103,234 (1,074,144 ) 20,292 (1,150,631 ) — — Notes payable to affiliates (608,771 ) — — — — (124,951 ) 733,722 — Net cash from financing activities (91,767 ) 53,686 103,234 (341,036 ) 20,292 (1,347,086 ) 733,722 (868,955 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents 1,622 — 1,847 — — 442,546 — 446,015 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 5 — 254 — — 65,521 — 65,780 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1,627 $ — $ 2,101 $ — $ — $ 508,067 $ — $ 511,795 Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Adjustments Total Cash flows from operating activities Net cash from operating activities $ 2,825,524 $ (151,987 ) $ 366,583 $ (232,605 ) $ (31,788 ) $ (903,811 ) $ — $ 1,871,916 Cash flows from investing activities Capital expenditures — — (1,404,560 ) — — (704,574 ) — (2,109,134 ) Notes receivable from affiliates 50 — — 273,744 — — (273,794 ) — Net cash from investing activities 50 — (1,404,560 ) 273,744 — (704,574 ) (273,794 ) (2,109,134 ) Cash flows from financing activities Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities (437,647 ) — — — — — — (437,647 ) Repayment of long-term debt — — — (250,000 ) — — — (250,000 ) Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore — — — — — 1,710,550 — 1,710,550 Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore — — — — — (14,676 ) (14,676 ) Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-Off — — — — — (104,152 ) — (104,152 ) Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests — — — — — (79,966 ) — (79,966 ) Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities (398 ) — — — — — — (398 ) Distributions to parent company, net (631,095 ) — — — — — — (631,095 ) Advances (to) from affiliates (1,482,686 ) 151,987 1,037,829 208,857 31,788 52,225 — — Notes payable to affiliates (273,744 ) — — — — (50 ) 273,794 — Net cash from financing activities (2,825,570 ) 151,987 1,037,829 (41,143 ) 31,788 1,563,931 273,794 192,616 Net change in cash and cash equivalents 4 — (148 ) (4 ) — (44,454 ) — (44,602 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1 — 402 4 — 109,975 — 110,382 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 5 $ — $ 254 $ — $ — $ 65,521 $ — $ 65,780 Other Non-guarantor Noble- Subsidiaries Consolidating Cayman NHC NDH NHIL NDS6 of Adjustments Total Cash flows from operating activities Net cash from operating activities $ (117,993 ) $ (133,595 ) $ 424,147 $ (128,315 ) $ 1,523,225 $ 201,161 $ — $ 1,768,630 Cash flows from investing activities Capital expenditures — — (1,594,449 ) — — (949,755 ) — (2,544,204 ) Notes receivable from affiliates — — — — — 294,798 (294,798 ) — Proceeds from disposal of assets — — — — — 61,000 — 61,000 Net cash from investing activities — — (1,594,449 ) — — (593,957 ) (294,798 ) (2,483,204 ) Cash flows from financing activities Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities 1,221,333 — — — — — — 1,221,333 Repayment of long-term debt (300,000 ) — — — — — — (300,000 ) Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests — — — — — (105,388 ) — (105,388 ) Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities (2,484 ) — — — — — — (2,484 ) Distributions to parent company, net (265,880 ) — — — — — — (265,880 ) Advances (to) from affiliates (241,180 ) 133,595 1,169,800 128,317 (1,523,225 ) 332,693 — — Notes payable to affiliates (294,798 ) — — — — — 294,798 — Net cash from financing activities 116,991 133,595 1,169,800 128,317 (1,523,225 ) 227,305 294,798 547,581 Net change in cash and cash equivalents (1,002 ) — (502 ) 2 — (165,491 ) — (166,993 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,003 — 904 2 — 275,466 — 277,375 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1 $ — $ 402 $ 4 $ — $ 109,975 $ — $ 110,382

Unaudited Interim Financial D46

Unaudited Interim Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information	Unaudited interim consolidated financial information from continuing operations for Noble-UK for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: Quarter Ended Mar. 31 Jun. 30 Sep. 30 Dec. 31 2015 Operating revenues $ 804,342 $ 793,555 $ 896,671 $ 857,684 Operating income (loss) 284,359 275,149 409,973 (49,480 ) Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK 178,403 159,031 325,807 (152,241 ) Net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK (1) Basic 0.72 0.64 1.32 (0.63 ) Diluted 0.72 0.64 1.32 (0.63 ) Quarter Ended Mar. 31 Jun. 30 Sep. 30 Dec. 31 2014 Operating revenues $ 795,187 $ 803,781 $ 828,796 $ 804,740 Operating income (loss) 248,968 235,205 243,633 (541,864 ) Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK 154,814 140,325 147,389 (594,539 ) Net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK (1) Basic 0.60 0.54 0.57 (2.38 ) Diluted 0.60 0.54 0.57 (2.38 ) (1) Net income (loss) per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarters’ net income (loss) per share may not equal the total computed for the year.

Organization and Significant 47

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)RigJointVenture	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2015Rig
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of drilling rigs | Rig	30
Number of jackups | Rig	14
Number of drillships | Rig	8
Number of semisubmersibles | Rig	8
Number of harsh environment jackup rigs under construction | Rig	1
Share exchanged for each ordinary shares	1
Number of joint ventures, where the company hold the variable interest | JointVenture	2
Percentage of variable interest in joint ventures	50.00%
Maturity period of highly liquid investments	Three months or less
Capital accruals	$ 44	$ 70
Period for incurring maintenance costs, Minimum	3 years
Period for incurring maintenance costs, Maximum	5 years
Deferred costs for major maintenance projects, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 202	179
Depreciation expense related to overhauls and asset replacement	75	77	$ 70
Deferred revenues under drilling contracts	180	263
Deferred expenses under drilling contracts	78	94
Loss reserves for personal injury and protection claims	21	$ 21
Aramco [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of rigs | Rig				5
Aramco [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Revenues recorded in excess of billings	$ 53
Minimum [Member] | Drilling Equipment [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Maximum useful life of property plant and equipment	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Other [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Maximum useful life of property plant and equipment	2 years
Maximum [Member] | Drilling Equipment [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Maximum useful life of property plant and equipment	30 years
Maximum [Member] | Other [Member]
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Maximum useful life of property plant and equipment	40 years

Spin-off of Paragon Offshore 48

Spin-off of Paragon Offshore plc ("Paragon Offshore") - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Billions	Aug. 01, 2014shares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Agreement
Schedule Of Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of transition services agreements | Agreement		2
Paragon Offshore [Member]
Schedule Of Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Long-term debt issued | $		$ 1.7
Pro rata distribution		Our shareholders received one share of Paragon Offshore for every three shares of Noble owned as of July 23, 2014, the record date for the distribution.
Minimum shares eligible for pro rata allotment under spin off transaction	3
Shares received under spin off transaction	1

Discontinued Operations - Addit

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)Tranche	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Spin-Off related costs totaled	$ 63,000,000	$ 18,000,000
Long-term debt issued	$ 1,700,000,000
Paragon Offshore [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of tranches | Tranche	2
Senior secured term credit agreement, amount	$ 650,000,000
Interest expense related to issued debt to discontinued operations	4,000,000	$ 0
Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty Two And Two Thousand Twenty Four | Paragon Offshore [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of senior notes	$ 1,080,000,000
Credit agreement interest rate description | Paragon Offshore [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Senior secured term credit agreement, description	Interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1%, which has an initial term of seven years.
Credit agreement term | Paragon Offshore [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Interest rate initial term	7 years
6.75% Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member] | Paragon Offshore [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	6.75%
Senior notes, maturity year	2,022
6.75% Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member] | Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty Two And Two Thousand Twenty Four | Paragon Offshore [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of senior notes	$ 500,000,000
7.25% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member] | Paragon Offshore [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	7.25%
Senior notes, maturity year	2,024
7.25% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member] | Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty Two And Two Thousand Twenty Four | Paragon Offshore [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of senior notes	$ 580,000,000

Discontinued Operations - Sched

Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Operation from Discontinued Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating revenues
Operating revenues from discontinued operations	$ 1,034,458	$ 1,696,147
Income from discontinued operations
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	216,391	379,591
Income tax provision	(55,889)	(75,489)
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax	160,502	304,102
Contract Drilling Services [Member]
Operating revenues
Operating revenues from discontinued operations	993,253	1,615,325
Reimbursables [Member]
Operating revenues
Operating revenues from discontinued operations	21,899	45,582
Labor Contract Drilling Services [Member]
Operating revenues
Operating revenues from discontinued operations	19,304	35,146
Other [Member]
Operating revenues
Operating revenues from discontinued operations	$ 2	$ 94

Consolidated Joint Ventures - A

Consolidated Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)RigJointVenture	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012USD ($)
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percent of interest in joint ventures									50.00%
Number of joint ventures acquired | JointVenture									2
Number of bully class drillships | Rig									2
Dividend paid to joint venture partner									$ 72,000	$ 80,000	$ 105,000
Carrying amount of the drillships	$ 1,400,000				$ 1,400,000				1,400,000	1,400,000
Cash held by Bully joint venture	512,245				68,510				512,245	68,510	114,458	$ 282,092
Operating revenues	857,684	$ 896,671	$ 793,555	$ 804,342	804,740	$ 828,796	$ 803,781	$ 795,187	3,352,252	3,232,504	2,538,143
Net income									583,201	83,316	850,406
Bully Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Dividend paid by Bully Joint Venture Partners									143,000	160,000	211,000
Cash held by Bully joint venture	$ 50,000				$ 47,000				50,000	47,000
Operating revenues									334,000	372,000	355,000
Net income									$ 154,000	$ 157,000	$ 145,000

Earnings per Share - Computatio

Earnings per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share for Noble-UK (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations									$ 511,000	$ (152,011)	$ 478,595
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards									(11,208)		(5,669)
Income (loss) from continuing operations to common shareholders									499,792	(152,011)	472,926
Income from discontinued operations										160,502	304,102
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards											(3,602)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax to common shareholders										160,502	300,500
Net income attributable to Noble-UK									511,000	8,491	782,697
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards									(11,208)		(9,271)
Net income to common shareholders—basic									499,792	8,491	773,426
Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations									511,000	(152,011)	478,595
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards									(11,208)		(5,663)
Income (loss) from continuing operations to common shareholders									499,792	(152,011)	472,932
Income from discontinued operations										160,502	304,102
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards											(3,598)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax to common shareholders										160,502	300,504
Net income attributable to Noble-UK	$ (152,241)	$ 325,807	$ 159,031	$ 178,403	$ (594,539)	$ 147,389	$ 140,325	$ 154,814	511,000	8,491	782,697
Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards									(11,208)		(9,261)
Net income to common shareholders—diluted									$ 499,792	$ 8,491	$ 773,436
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic									242,146	252,909	253,288
Incremental shares issuable from assumed exercise of stock options											259
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted									242,146	252,909	253,547
Weighted average unvested share-based payment awards									5,430		3,036
Basic
Continuing operations									$ 2.06	$ (0.60)	$ 1.86
Discontinued operations										0.63	1.19
Net income attributable to Noble-UK	$ (0.63)	$ 1.32	$ 0.64	$ 0.72	$ (2.38)	$ 0.57	$ 0.54	$ 0.60	2.06	0.03	3.05
Diluted
Continuing operations									2.06	(0.60)	1.86
Discontinued operations										0.63	1.19
Net income attributable to Noble-UK	$ (0.63)	$ 1.32	$ 0.64	$ 0.72	$ (2.38)	$ 0.57	$ 0.54	$ 0.60	2.06	0.03	3.05
Dividends per share									$ 1.28	$ 1.50	$ 0.76

Earnings per Share - Additional

Earnings per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares excluded from the diluted net income per share	1.7	2	0.9
Unvested Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares excluded from the diluted net income per share		4

Receivables from Customers - Ad

Receivables from Customers - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Petroleos Mexicanos [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Approximate receivable	$ 14

Property and Equipment - Proper

Property and Equipment - Property and Equipment, at Cost (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	$ 14,056,323	$ 14,442,922
Drilling Equipment and Facilities [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	13,074,804	13,254,240
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	761,347	969,985
Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	$ 220,172	$ 218,697

Property and Equipment - Additi

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	$ 423	$ 2,100	$ 2,500
Capitalized interest on construction-in-progress	$ 25	47	115
Paragon Offshore [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital expenditures		150	359
Depreciation expense		$ 236	$ 368

Debt - Schedule of Debt (Detail

Debt - Schedule of Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 4,488,901	$ 4,869,020
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt	(299,997)
Long-term debt	4,188,904	4,869,020
Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper Program [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt		1,123,495
3.45% Senior Notes due August 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes		350,000
3.05% Senior Notes due March 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	299,997	299,982
2.50% Senior Notes due March 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	299,956	299,920
4.00% Senior Notes due March 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	249,602
7.50% Senior Notes due March 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	201,695	201,695
4.90% Senior Notes due August 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	499,287	499,151
4.625% Senior Notes due March 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	399,680	399,627
3.95% Senior Notes due March 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	399,354	399,264
5.95% Senior Notes due April 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	448,814
6.20% Senior Notes due August 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	399,896	399,895
6.05% Senior Notes due March 2041 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	397,719	397,681
5.25% Senior Notes due March 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	498,338	498,310
6.95% Senior Notes due April 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	394,563
Total Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	$ 4,488,901	$ 3,745,525

Debt - Schedule of Debt (Parent

Debt - Schedule of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
3.45% Senior Notes due August 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	3.45%		3.45%
Senior notes, maturity date	2,015		2,015
3.05% Senior Notes due March 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			3.05%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,016
2.50% Senior Notes due March 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			2.50%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,017
4.00% Senior Notes due March 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes		4.00%	4.00%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,018	2,018
7.50% Senior Notes due March 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			7.50%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,019
4.90% Senior Notes due August 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			4.90%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,020
4.625% Senior Notes due March 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			4.625%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,021
3.95% Senior Notes due March 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			3.95%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,022
5.95% Senior Notes due April 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes		5.95%	5.95%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,025	2,025
6.20% Senior Notes due August 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			6.20%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,040
6.05% Senior Notes due March 2041 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			6.05%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,041
5.25% Senior Notes due March 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			5.25%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,042
6.95% Senior Notes due April 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes		6.95%	6.95%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,045	2,045

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)CreditFacility	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of credit facilities | CreditFacility			2
Letters of credit issued			$ 0
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net of debt issuance costs		$ 1,080,000,000
Maximum debt to tangible capitalization covenant			60.00%
Line of credit facility debt to tangible capitalization ratio			0.38
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit issued			$ 5,000,000
Senior Unsecured Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 1,100,000
Weighted average coupon of all three tranches		5.87%
4.00% Senior Notes due March 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes		4.00%	4.00%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,018	2,018
Senior unsecured notes			$ 249,602,000
5.95% Senior Notes due April 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 450,000,000	$ 450,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes		5.95%	5.95%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,025	2,025
Senior unsecured notes			$ 448,814,000
6.95% Senior Notes due April 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes		6.95%	6.95%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,045	2,045
Senior unsecured notes			$ 394,563,000
3.45% Senior Notes due August 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes	$ 350,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes	3.45%		3.45%
Senior notes, maturity date	2,015		2,015
Senior unsecured notes				$ 350,000,000
3.05% Senior Notes due March 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes			$ 300,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes			3.05%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,016
Senior unsecured notes			$ 299,997,000	$ 299,982,000
Maximum [Member] | Senior Unsecured Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase (Decrease)		2.00%
Commercial Paper Program [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under credit facilities			2,400,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under credit facilities			2,700,000,000
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under credit facilities			$ 2,400,000,000
Senior unsecured revolving credit facility maturity period			5 years
Senior unsecured Revolving Credit Facility Maturity date			2020-01
Revolving Credit Facility Which Matures in 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under credit facilities			$ 225,000,000
Senior unsecured revolving credit facility maturity period			364 days
Senior unsecured Revolving Credit Facility Maturity date			2016-01
Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under credit facilities			$ 500,000,000

Debt - Repayments of Total Debt

Debt - Repayments of Total Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2,016	$ 299,997
2,017	299,956
2,018	249,602
2,019	201,695
2,020	499,287
Thereafter	2,938,364
Total	$ 4,488,901	$ 4,869,020

Debt - Estimated Fair Value of

Debt - Estimated Fair Value of Our Total Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 4,488,901	$ 4,869,020
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	3,260,231	4,540,627
3.45% Senior Notes due August 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes		350,000
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value		354,992
3.05% Senior Notes due March 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	299,997	299,982
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	299,340	302,515
2.50% Senior Notes due March 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	299,956	299,920
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	284,334	287,014
4.00% Senior Notes due March 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	249,602
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	227,285
7.50% Senior Notes due March 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	201,695	201,695
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	194,273	212,068
4.90% Senior Notes due August 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	499,287	499,151
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	378,761	471,095
4.625% Senior Notes due March 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	399,680	399,627
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	289,450	363,837
3.95% Senior Notes due March 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	399,354	399,264
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	265,643	346,425
5.95% Senior Notes due April 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	448,814
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	308,870
6.20% Senior Notes due August 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	399,896	399,895
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	237,005	350,351
6.05% Senior Notes due March 2041 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	397,719	397,681
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	239,464	343,653
5.25% Senior Notes due March 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	498,338	498,310
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	279,919	385,181
6.95% Senior Notes due April 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	394,563
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	255,887
Total Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes	4,488,901	3,745,525
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value	$ 3,260,231	3,417,131
Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper Program [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt		1,123,495
Senior unsecured notes, Estimated Fair Value		$ 1,123,496

Debt - Estimated Fair Value o62

Debt - Estimated Fair Value of Our Total Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
3.45% Senior Notes due August 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	3.45%		3.45%
Senior notes, maturity date	2,015		2,015
3.05% Senior Notes due March 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			3.05%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,016
2.50% Senior Notes due March 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			2.50%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,017
4.00% Senior Notes due March 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes		4.00%	4.00%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,018	2,018
7.50% Senior Notes due March 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			7.50%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,019
4.90% Senior Notes due August 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			4.90%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,020
4.625% Senior Notes due March 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			4.625%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,021
3.95% Senior Notes due March 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			3.95%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,022
5.95% Senior Notes due April 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes		5.95%	5.95%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,025	2,025
6.20% Senior Notes due August 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			6.20%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,040
6.05% Senior Notes due March 2041 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			6.05%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,041
5.25% Senior Notes due March 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes			5.25%
Senior notes, maturity date			2,042
6.95% Senior Notes due April 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes		6.95%	6.95%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,045	2,045

Equity - Additional Information

Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares outstanding and trading		241,977,000	247,501,000
Additional conditionally authorized shares without additional shareholder approval		53,000,000
Current nominal value per share		$ 0.01
Shares outstanding repurchased percentage			15.00%
Repurchase of ordinary shares		6,200,000
Stock repurchase expiration date		Apr. 30, 2016
Repurchase of ordinary shares, value		$ 100,630,000	$ 154,145,000
Additional stock options issued		339,223
Incremental fair value awarded as a result of the issuance of awards		$ 0
Stock option exercisable term		10 years
Weighted-average vesting period (years)		3 years
Stock options granted		0	0	0
Incremental fair value awarded as a result of the issuance of awards		$ 0
Unrestricted shares awarded		99,063	50,796	57,095
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost recognized		$ 100,000	$ 2,000,000	$ 3,000,000
Two Thousand Fifteen Omnibus Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares that may be granted for any and all awards		7,300,000
Remaining number of shares available for grants		7,300,000
1992 Nonqualified Stock Option and Share Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Remaining number of shares available for grants		500,000
1992 Nonqualified Stock Option and Share Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total number of shares issuable under stock option plan		2,000,000
1992 Nonqualified Stock Option and Share Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total number of shares issuable under stock option plan		2,300,000
TVRSUs Outstanding [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Issuance of additional RSUs		326,853
PVRSUs Outstanding [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Issuance of additional RSUs		329,937
TVRSU's Outstanding [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average vesting period (years)		3 years
Incremental fair value awarded as a result of the issuance of awards		$ 30,000,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost		$ 30,000,000
Period for recognizing unrecognized compensation cost		1 year 8 months 12 days
Performance shares forfeited in period		333,419
PVRSU's Outstanding [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average vesting period (years)		3 years
Period for recognizing unrecognized compensation cost		1 year 7 months 6 days
Total unrecognized compensation cost		$ 11,000,000
Performance shares forfeited in period		601,962
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost recognized		$ 2,000,000	2,000,000	2,000,000
Performance Vested Shares for 2012-2014 Performance Period [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance shares forfeited in period		517,223
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost recognized		$ 39,000,000	46,000,000	44,000,000
Compensation cost recognized net of tax		31,000,000	37,000,000	36,000,000
Capitalized compensation costs		$ 1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
Restricted Stock | Paragon Offshore [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost recognized			$ 7,000,000	$ 10,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend to be paid, per share					$ 0.15
Dividends payable outstanding	$ 38,000,000
Dividend declaration, Date	Jan. 29, 2016
Dividend paid, Date	Feb. 16, 2016
Dividend record, Date	Feb. 8, 2016
Subsequent Event [Member] | Performance Vested Shares for 2013-2015 Performance Period [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance shares forfeited in period	273,357

Equity - Share Repurchases (Det

Equity - Share Repurchases (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Total Number of Shares Purchased	6,209,400	6,769,891	190,187
Total Cost	$ 100,630	$ 154,145	$ 7,653
Average Price Paid per Share	$ 16.21	$ 22.77	$ 40.24

Equity - Summary of Stock Optio

Equity - Summary of Stock Options Granted (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Outstanding at beginning of year, Number of Shares Underlying Options	1,958,633	1,808,987	2,027,089
Exercised, Number of Shares Underlying Options		(131,706)	(212,017)
Forfeited, Number of Shares Underlying Options	(281,479)	(57,871)	(6,085)
Spin-Off adjustment, Number of Shares Underlying Options		339,223
Outstanding at end of year, Number of Shares Underlying Options	1,677,154	1,958,633	1,808,987
Exercisable at end of year, Number of Shares Underlying Options	1,677,154	1,846,465	1,510,929
Outstanding at beginning of year, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 28.43	$ 33.13	$ 32.44
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price		20.08	26.66
Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price	22.17	30.18	31.35
Outstanding at end of year, Weighted Average Exercise Price	29.48	28.43	33.13
Exercisable at end of year, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 29.48	$ 28.35	$ 32.47

Equity - Summary of Stock Opt66

Equity - Summary of Stock Options Granted (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Equity [Abstract]
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable	$ 0

Equity - Additional Informati67

Equity - Additional Information About Stock Options Outstanding (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable | shares	1,677,154
Options Outstanding and Exercisable	3 years 9 months 4 days
Options Outstanding and Exercisable | $ / shares	$ 29.48
$20.49 to $25.41 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable | shares	311,704
Options Outstanding and Exercisable	3 years 7 months 24 days
Options Outstanding and Exercisable | $ / shares	$ 21.34
$25.42 to $30.59 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable | shares	593,387
Options Outstanding and Exercisable	4 years 26 days
Options Outstanding and Exercisable | $ / shares	$ 29.53
$30.60 to $35.73 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable | shares	772,063
Options Outstanding and Exercisable	3 years 6 months 26 days
Options Outstanding and Exercisable | $ / shares	$ 32.72

Equity - Summary of Status of N

Equity - Summary of Status of Non-Vested Stock Options (Detail) - Non-Vested Stock Options [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding at beginning of year, Number of Shares Underlying Options | shares	112,168
Shares Under Outstanding Options, Vested | shares	(112,168)
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Beginning balance | $ / shares	$ 13.05
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value Vested | $ / shares	$ 13.05

Equity - Assumptions used to Va

Equity - Assumptions used to Value the Performance-Vested Restricted Stock Awards (Detail) - Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation assumptions:
Expected volatility	34.00%	33.00%	34.80%
Expected dividend yield	9.40%	4.70%	1.30%
Risk-free interest rate	0.80%	0.70%	0.40%

Equity - Summary of Restricted

Equity - Summary of Restricted Share Awards (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
PVRSU
Weighted-average vesting period (years)	3 years
Time-Vested Restricted Shares [Member]
PVRSU
Units awarded (maximum available)	2,004,311	1,617,534	1,033,009
Weighted-average share price at award date	$ 15.90	$ 31.56	$ 41.32
Weighted-average vesting period (years)	3 years	3 years	3 years
Performance-Vested Restricted Shares [Member]
PVRSU
Units awarded (maximum available)	1,205,130	740,364	565,650
Weighted-average share price at award date	$ 15.94	$ 31.66	$ 41.42
Three-year performance period ended December 31	2,017	2,016	2,015
Weighted-average award-date fair value	$ 9.12	$ 19.66	$ 24.97

Equity - Summary of Status of71

Equity - Summary of Status of Non-Vested Restricted Shares (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
TVRSU's Outstanding [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non-vested restricted shares, Restricted Shares Outstanding, Beginning balance | shares	1,881,179
Awarded, Restricted Shares Outstanding | shares	2,004,311
Vested, Restricted Shares Outstanding | shares	(842,396)
Forfeited, Restricted Shares Outstanding | shares	(333,419)
Non-vested restricted shares, Restricted Shares Outstanding, Ending balance | shares	2,709,675
Non-vested restricted shares, Weighted Average Award-Date Fair Value, Beginning balance | $ / shares	$ 34.66
Awarded, Weighted Average Award-Date Fair Value | $ / shares	15.90
Vested, Weighted Average Award-Date Fair Value | $ / shares	35.52
Forfeited, Weighted Average Award-Date Fair Value | $ / shares	22.84
Non-vested restricted shares, Weighted Average Award-Date Fair Value, Ending balance | $ / shares	$ 21.97
PVRSU's Outstanding [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non-vested restricted shares, Restricted Shares Outstanding, Beginning balance | shares	1,942,969
Awarded, Restricted Shares Outstanding | shares	1,205,130
Forfeited, Restricted Shares Outstanding | shares	(601,962)
Non-vested restricted shares, Restricted Shares Outstanding, Ending balance | shares	2,546,137
Non-vested restricted shares, Weighted Average Award-Date Fair Value, Beginning balance | $ / shares	$ 21.44
Awarded, Weighted Average Award-Date Fair Value | $ / shares	9.12
Forfeited, Weighted Average Award-Date Fair Value | $ / shares	19.52
Non-vested restricted shares, Weighted Average Award-Date Fair Value, Ending balance | $ / shares	$ 16.06

Equity - Summary of Status of72

Equity - Summary of Status of Non-Vested Restricted Shares (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015shares
Equity [Abstract]
Minimum number of performance vested shares	0
Target level of performance	50.00%

Accumulated Other Comprehensi73

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Changes in AOCL by Component (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ (69,418)	$ (82,164)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	4,235	(35,356)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	2,008	13,624
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	6,243	(21,732)	$ 33,285
Spin-off of Paragon Offshore		34,478
Ending balance	(63,175)	(69,418)	(82,164)
Gains / (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,414	(4,286)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	(2,414)	4,286
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	0	0
Spin-off of Paragon Offshore		0
Ending balance	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Pension Items [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(58,440)	(58,598)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	7,099	(30,952)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	4,422	9,338
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	11,521	(21,614)
Spin-off of Paragon Offshore		21,772
Ending balance	(46,919)	(58,440)	(58,598)
Foreign Currency Items [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(10,978)	(23,566)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(5,278)	(118)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	(5,278)	(118)
Spin-off of Paragon Offshore		12,706
Ending balance	$ (16,256)	$ (10,978)	$ (23,566)

Loss on Impairment - Additional

Loss on Impairment - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Rig	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012USD ($)Rig
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | FDR Holdings, Ltd. [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill			$ 60
Noble Discoverer
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of drillships discontinued | Rig		1
Noble Charles Copeland [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of jackups discontinued | Rig		1
Capital Spare Equipment
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Impairment related charges		$ 406
Corporate Assets [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Impairment related charges		13
Submersible Rig Fleet [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Impairment related charges				$ 4	$ 13
Number of cold stack rigs | Rig					2
Sales value of Rigs	$ 7
Submersible Rig Fleet [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Impairment related charges			$ 685
Book value of impaired asset		$ 47

Gain on Disposal of Assets, n75

Gain on Disposal of Assets, net - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013USD ($)
Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life And Values [Abstract]
Sale of the Noble Lewis Dugger	$ 61
Gain on sale of assets	$ 36

Gain on Contract Settlements_76

Gain on Contract Settlements/Extinguishments, net - Additional Information (Detail) - FDR Holdings, Ltd. [Member] $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Additional Expenditures by Other Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Net gain recognized on contract settlements/ extinguishments, net line	$ 45
Settlement amount allocated to discontinued operations	$ 14

Income Taxes - Components of Ne

Income Taxes - Components of Net Deferred Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax assets	$ 54,179	$ 59,017
Less: valuation allowance	(3,800)	(6,907)
Net deferred tax assets	50,379	52,110
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities	(140,939)	(172,525)
Net deferred tax liabilities	(90,560)	(120,415)
United States [Member]
Deferred tax assets
Deferred pension plan amounts	22,858	23,497
Accrued expenses not currently deductible	20,041	14,250
Other	3,069	11,267
Deferred tax liabilities
Excess of net book basis over remaining tax basis	(126,096)	(166,959)
Other	(10,277)	(4,969)
Foreign Country [Member]
Deferred tax assets
Deferred pension plan amounts	2,347	3,096
Other	2,064
Net operating loss carry forwards	3,800	6,907
Deferred tax liabilities
Excess of net book basis over remaining tax basis	(200)	(200)
Other	$ (4,366)	$ (397)

Income Taxes - Income (Loss) fr

Income Taxes - Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States	$ 4,031	$ 38,206	$ 178,090
Non-U.S.	738,402	(8,741)	460,331
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 742,433	$ 29,465	$ 638,421

Income Taxes - Income Tax Provi

Income Taxes - Income Tax Provision for Continuing Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current- United States	$ 113,648	$ 50,829	$ 83,302
Current- Non-U.S.	81,756	74,288	23,836
Deferred- United States	(38,103)	(18,655)	(14,032)
Deferred- Non-U.S.	1,931	189	(989)
Total	$ 159,232	$ 106,651	$ 92,117

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Reserve for Uncertain Tax Positions, Excluding Interest and Penalties (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross balance at January 1	$ 108,812	$ 115,969	$ 115,009
Additions based on tax positions related to current year	31,022	16,880	2,318
Additions for tax positions of prior years	47,561	12,928	18,906
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(11,945)	(8)	(7,910)
Expiration of statutes	(1,237)	(2,852)	(2,633)
Reduction due to Spin-off		(26,870)
Tax settlements	(4,526)	(7,235)	(9,721)
Gross balance at December 31	169,687	108,812	115,969
Related tax benefits	(14,369)	(1,064)	(2,038)
Net reserve at December 31	$ 155,318	$ 107,748	$ 113,931

Income Taxes - Summary of Liabi

Income Taxes - Summary of Liabilities Related to Reserve for Uncertain Tax Positions (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Reserve for uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties	$ 155,318	$ 107,748	$ 113,931
Interest and penalties included in “Other liabilities”	10,961	8,039
Reserve for uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties	$ 166,279	$ 115,787

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Reserves for uncertain tax positions net	$ 166,279,000	$ 115,787,000
Reduction in the provision for income taxes, if reserves not realized	166,000,000
Interest and penalties resulted in an income tax expense	$ 3,000,000	1,000,000	$ 7,000,000
Operational period	12 months
Federal statutory income tax rate	20.25%
Foreign tax credits	$ 15,000,000	17,000,000	$ 15,000,000
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	$ 0	$ 0

Income Taxes - Reconciliation83

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Statutory and Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax rates which are different than the UK and Cayman Island rates	14.40%	19.30%	15.50%
Tax impact of asset impairment	5.30%	344.00%	0.00%
Reserve for (resolution of) tax authority audits	1.70%	(1.30%)	(1.10%)
Total	21.40%	362.00%	14.40%

Employee Benefit Plans - Additi

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Market cycle minimum period in which objective should be met over	3 years
Market cycle maximum period in which objective should be met over	5 years
Duration of Treasury bills	90 days
Cash equivalent and short-term investments should achieve relative performance	Better than the 90-day Treasury bills
Percentage of total fixed income exposure from any single non-government or government agency issuer	42.00%
Total fixed income exposure from any single non-government or government agency issuer	Shall not exceed 42 percent of the Trust’s fixed income holdings.
Average duration of the portfolio	1 year 6 months
Investment equity securities	$ 0	$ 0
Percentage of no single security made up of total assets	10.00%
Percentage of no single security made up of total assets of either the U.S. or the Non-U.S. plans	More than 10 percent
Number of years of service for the participants in the plan to become fully vested	3 years
Cash Holdings [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of company's overall investments	1.50%
Investment Manager 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Performance objective communicated to investment managers	To exceed a blend of FTSE A Over 15 Year Gilts index and iBoxx Sterling Non Gilts index by 1.25 percent per annum.
Interest rate range maximum	1.25%
Investment Manager 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Performance objective communicated to investment managers	To exceed a blend of FTSE’s All Share index, North America index, Europe index and Pacific Basin index by 1.00 to 2.00 percent per annum.
Interest rate range maximum	2.00%
Interest rate range minimum	1.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of company's overall investments	66.50%
Equity Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member] | International Countries [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of company's overall investments	20.00%
Equity Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member] | International Countries [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of company's overall investments	23.00%
Equity Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Country One [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of company's overall investments	30.00%
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of company's overall investments	32.00%
401(K) Savings Plan, a Medical Plan and Other Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution to benefit plan	$ 55,000	70,000	$ 80,000
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net pension expense	2,636	4,125	6,415
Estimated prior service cost	100
Estimated net actuarial loss	200
Accumulated benefit obligation	1,853	1,355
Employer contributions	2,182	6,863	9,000
Expected contribution to non-U.S. and U.S pension plans during 2016	2,000
Non-U.S. Plans [Member] | Projected benefit obligation [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	4,317	3,157
U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Curtailment Expense		18,178
Settlement Expense		34,397
Net pension expense	10,948	17,114	14,537
Estimated prior service cost	100
Estimated net actuarial loss	4,400
Accumulated benefit obligation	174,105	202,716
Employer contributions	548	2,017	6,000
Expected contribution to non-U.S. and U.S pension plans during 2016	3,000
U.S. Plans [Member] | Projected benefit obligation [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	202,566	238,072
U.S. Plans [Member] | Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension liability	(3,000)	14,000
U.S. Plans [Member] | Unfunded Excess Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	15,000	13,000
U.S. Plans [Member] | Unfunded Excess Benefit Plan [Member] | Projected benefit obligation [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	$ 23,000	20,000
Noble Resources Limited [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of company's overall investments	100.00%
Noble Drilling (Land Support) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of targeted asset allocation	70.00%
Noble Drilling (Land Support) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of targeted asset allocation	30.00%
Restoration Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Liability under the restoration plan	$ 8,000	7,000
Noble Drilling Corporation Profit Sharing Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution to benefit plan	$ 6,000	6,000	5,000
Paragon Offshore [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Curtailment Expense		200
Settlement Expense		10,000
Paragon Offshore [Member] | Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net pension expense		2,000	4,000
Paragon Offshore [Member] | U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net pension expense		$ 11,000	$ 4,000

Employee Benefit Plans - Reconc

Employee Benefit Plans - Reconciliation of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations for our Non - U.S. and U.S. Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 72,553	$ 161,591
Service cost	3,344	4,777	$ 5,496
Interest cost	2,546	4,650	5,085
Actuarial loss (gain)	(2,778)	6,145
Plan amendments		1,595
Benefits paid	(2,971)	(2,819)
Plan participants’ contributions	363	266
Foreign exchange rate changes	(3,685)	(7,071)
Spin-off adjustment		(96,581)
Benefit obligation at end of year	69,372	72,553	161,591
U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	238,072	223,938
Service cost	8,596	8,901	10,724
Interest cost	9,198	10,546	9,049
Actuarial loss (gain)	(21,631)	51,524
Benefits paid	(5,845)	(4,262)
Settlement		(34,397)
Curtailment		(18,178)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$ 228,390	$ 238,072	$ 223,938

Employee Benefit Plans - Reco86

Employee Benefit Plans - Reconciliation of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 77,714	$ 174,257
Actual return on plan assets	2,270	6,717
Employer contributions	2,182	6,863	$ 9,000
Benefits and expenses paid	(2,971)	(2,819)
Plan participants’ contributions	363	266
Foreign exchange rate changes	(3,703)	(11,068)
Spin-off adjustment		(96,502)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	75,855	77,714	174,257
U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	172,119	201,011
Actual return on plan assets	1,125	7,750
Employer contributions	548	2,017	6,000
Benefits and expenses paid	(5,845)	(4,262)
Settlement		(34,397)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$ 167,947	$ 172,119	$ 201,011

Employee Benefit Plans - Funded

Employee Benefit Plans - Funded Status of Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Funded status	$ 6,483	$ 5,161
U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Funded status	$ (60,443)	$ (65,953)

Employee Benefit Plans - Amount

Employee Benefit Plans - Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Other assets (noncurrent)	$ 9,121	$ 7,725
Other liabilities (noncurrent)	(2,638)	(2,564)
Net amount recognized	6,483	5,161
U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Other assets (noncurrent)	1,134
Other liabilities (current)	(3,441)	(3,037)
Other liabilities (noncurrent)	(58,136)	(62,916)
Net amount recognized	$ (60,443)	$ (65,953)

Employee Benefit Plans - Amou89

Employee Benefit Plans - Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	$ 10,017	$ 11,793
Prior service cost	1,378	1,531
Deferred income tax asset	(2,347)	(3,096)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	9,048	10,228
U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	57,937	73,705
Prior service cost	326	468
Deferred income tax asset	(20,392)	(25,961)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 37,871	$ 48,212

Employee Benefit Plans - Pensio

Employee Benefit Plans - Pension Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service Cost	$ 3,344	$ 4,777	$ 5,496
Interest cost	2,546	4,650	5,085
Return on plan assets	(3,673)	(6,117)	(5,836)
Amortization of prior service cost	104	46
Recognized net actuarial loss	315	769	1,670
Net pension expense	2,636	4,125	6,415
U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service Cost	8,596	8,901	10,724
Interest cost	9,198	10,546	9,049
Return on plan assets	(13,146)	(15,499)	(13,102)
Amortization of prior service cost	142	196	227
Recognized net actuarial loss	6,158	2,857	7,639
Curtailment expense		241
Settlement expense		9,872
Net pension expense	$ 10,948	$ 17,114	$ 14,537

Employee Benefit Plans - Disagg

Employee Benefit Plans - Disaggregated Plan Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	$ 69,372	$ 72,553	$ 161,591
Accumulated benefit obligation	65,136	68,902
Fair value of plan assets	75,855	77,714	174,257
U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	228,390	238,072	223,938
Accumulated benefit obligation	199,928	202,716
Fair value of plan assets	$ 167,947	$ 172,119	$ 201,011

Employee Benefit Plans - Plans

Employee Benefit Plans - Plans in which PBO Exceeded Fair Value (Detail) - Projected benefit obligation [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	$ 4,317	$ 3,157
Fair value of plan assets	1,679	592
U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	202,566	238,072
Fair value of plan assets	$ 140,988	$ 172,119

Employee Benefit Plans - Plan93

Employee Benefit Plans - Plans in which Accumulated Benefit Obligation Exceeded Fair Value of Plan Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 1,853	$ 1,355
Fair value of plan assets	1,679	592
U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	174,105	202,716
Fair value of plan assets	$ 140,988	$ 172,119

Employee Benefit Plans - Define

Employee Benefit Plans - Defined Benefit Plans Key Assumptions (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Non-U.S. Plans [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount Rate	2.93%	2.60%
Rate of compensation increase	3.60%	3.60%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine periodic benefit cost:
Discount Rate	2.60%	2.70%
Expected long-term return on assets	1.60%	2.30%
Rate of compensation increase	3.60%	3.60%
Non-U.S. Plans [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount Rate	3.90%	3.70%
Rate of compensation increase	4.20%	4.10%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine periodic benefit cost:
Discount Rate	3.70%	4.70%
Expected long-term return on assets	4.90%	6.00%
Rate of compensation increase	4.10%	4.50%
U.S. Plans [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount Rate	3.09%	3.00%
Rate of compensation increase	2.00%	5.00%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine periodic benefit cost:
Discount Rate	2.98%	3.90%
Expected long-term return on assets	7.50%
Rate of compensation increase	2.00%
U.S. Plans [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount Rate	4.48%	4.10%
Rate of compensation increase	5.00%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine periodic benefit cost:
Discount Rate	4.38%	5.10%
Rate of compensation increase	5.00%

Employee Benefit Plans - Actual

Employee Benefit Plans - Actual Fair Values of Non-U.S. Pension Plans (Detail) - Non-U.S. Plans [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	$ 75,855	$ 77,714
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	75,855	77,714	$ 174,257
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	57,819	53,348
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	16,357	23,774
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	1,679	592
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	893	87
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	893	87
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	56,926	53,261
Equity Securities [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	56,926	53,261
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	16,357	23,774
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	16,357	23,774
Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	1,679	592
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	1,679	592
Other [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	$ 1,679	$ 592

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedu

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Activity Related to Investments (Detail) - Non-U.S. Plans [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 77,714	$ 174,257
Actual return on plan assets	2,270	6,717
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	75,855	77,714
Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	592
Assets purchased	1,982
Assets sold/benefits paid	(350)
Actual return on plan assets	(356)
Loss on exchange rate	(189)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$ 1,679	$ 592

Employee Benefit Plans - Actu97

Employee Benefit Plans - Actual Fair Values of U.S. Pension Plans (Detail) - U.S. Plans [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	$ 167,947	$ 172,119
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	167,947	172,119	$ 201,011
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	2,097	5,998
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	54,722	51,906
United States [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	77,611	80,823
International Countries [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	33,517	33,392
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	165,850	166,121
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	54,722	51,906
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | United States [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	77,611	80,823
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | International Countries [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	33,517	33,392
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	2,097	5,998
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value Measurements	$ 2,097	$ 5,998

Employee Benefit Plans - Estima

Employee Benefit Plans - Estimated Benefit Payments (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	$ 146,952
2,016	11,314
2,017	9,532
2,018	10,610
2,019	11,663
2,020	12,700
Thereafter	91,133
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	28,225
2,016	2,344
2,017	2,436
2,018	2,533
2,019	2,635
2,020	2,742
Thereafter	15,535
U.S. Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	118,727
2,016	8,970
2,017	7,096
2,018	8,077
2,019	9,028
2,020	9,958
Thereafter	$ 75,598

Derivative Instruments and He99

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instrument Settled	$ 88,000,000	$ 195,000,000
Price Risk Derivative [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of forward contracts outstanding	$ 0	$ 0

Derivative Instruments and H100

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Summarization of Recognized Gains and Losses of Cash Flow Hedges (Detail) - Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] - Cash Flow Hedges [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain/(loss) recognized through AOCL	$ (2,414)	$ 4,286
Contract Drilling Services [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain/(loss) reclassified from AOCL to "contract drilling services" expense	$ 2,414	$ (4,286)

Financial Instruments and Cr101

Financial Instruments and Credit Risk - Carrying Amount and Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets—
Marketable securities	$ 6,352	$ 6,175
Carrying Amount [Member]
Assets—
Marketable securities	$ 6,352	$ 6,175

Financial Instruments and Cr102

Financial Instruments and Credit Risk - Additional Information (Detail) - Customer Concentration Risk [Member] - Operating Revenues [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Royal Dutch Shell Plc [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Percent of operating revenues contributed by major customers	49.00%	55.00%	67.00%
Freeport Mc Mo Ran Inc
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Percent of operating revenues contributed by major customers	14.00%
Maximum percent of operating revenue accounted by other customers		10.00%	10.00%
Saudi Aramco
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Percent of operating revenues contributed by major customers			10.00%
Maximum percent of operating revenue accounted by other customers	10.00%	10.00%

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) BRL in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)RigLawsuit$ / Occurrence_Per_Year	Dec. 31, 2015BRLRigLawsuit$ / Occurrence_Per_Year	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Feb. 12, 2016USD ($)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Contract drilling services revenues	$ 3,261,610,000		$ 3,147,859,000	$ 2,454,745,000
Reimbursement of costs and fees as reduction of contract drilling services costs	90,642,000		84,644,000	$ 66,292,000
Amount of withholding after spin-off	$ 20,000,000	BRL 79
Physical damage deductible per occurrence on rigs range maximum | $ / Occurrence_Per_Year	25,000,000	25,000,000
Number of days waiting period	45 days	45 days
Protection and indemnity policy, standard deductible (per occurrence)	$ 10,000,000
Maximum liability coverage under protection and indemnity policy	750,000,000
Outstanding commitments including shipyard and purchase commitments	$ 598,000,000
Years of effectiveness of employment agreements after the termination of employment	3 years	3 years
Subsequent Event [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Aforementioned tax assessments					$ 3,000,000
Minimum [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Percentage of uncertain tax positions likelihood of being sustained	50.00%	50.00%
Loss of hire coverage applies only to rigs operating under dayrate	$ 200,000
Asbestos Issue [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Number of Lawsuits filed | Lawsuit	43	43
Customs and Other Business Taxes [Member] | Foreign Country [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Audit claims, attributable to income, customs and other business taxes	$ 174,000,000
Noble Discoverer And Kulluk [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Loss contingencies payments			$ 8,200,000
Environmental Compliance Plan, probationary period			4 years
Possible early probation period			3 years
Noble Discoverer And Kulluk [Member] | Community Service Payment [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Loss contingencies payments			$ 4,000,000
BP [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Claims related to the arbitration received	150,000,000
Exxon [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Claims related to the arbitration received	27,000,000
BP and Exxon [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Contract drilling services revenues	137,000,000
Interest income	30,000,000
Reimbursement of costs and fees as reduction of contract drilling services costs	$ 10,000,000
Libya [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Number of wells | Rig	2	2
Mexico [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Payable percentage of ultimate resolved income and value added taxes	50.00%	50.00%
Mexico [Member] | Paragon Retained Entity [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Payable percentage of ultimate resolved income and value added taxes	50.00%	50.00%
Mexico [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Aforementioned tax assessments	$ 50,000,000
Mexico [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member] | Aforementioned tax assessments[Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Aforementioned tax assessments	46,000,000
Mexico [Member] | Paragon Offshore [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Aforementioned tax assessments	202,000,000
Brazil [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member] | Aforementioned tax assessments[Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Aforementioned tax assessments	38,000,000
Brazil [Member] | Paragon Offshore [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Aforementioned tax assessments	$ 122,000,000

Segment and Related Informat104

Segment and Related Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segment	1

Segment and Related Informat105

Segment and Related Information - Revenues and Identifiable Assets by Country Based on the Location of the Service Provided (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 857,684	$ 896,671	$ 793,555	$ 804,342	$ 804,740	$ 828,796	$ 803,781	$ 795,187	$ 3,352,252	$ 3,232,504	$ 2,538,143
Identifiable Assets	12,891,984				13,286,822				12,891,984	13,286,822
United States [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									1,941,485	1,639,509	1,338,634
Identifiable Assets	6,668,879				6,739,636				6,668,879	6,739,636
Argentina [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									111,589	97,743
Identifiable Assets	273,397				304,131				273,397	304,131
Australia [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									204,822	146,474	133,214
Identifiable Assets	944,277				541,655				944,277	541,655
Benin [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues										66,077	41,251
Brazil [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									78,683	447,266	527,706
Identifiable Assets	697,638				799,599				697,638	799,599
Denmark [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									77,934	28,980
Identifiable Assets	501,747				272,788				501,747	272,788
Gabon [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									90,082	72,562	6,314
Identifiable Assets	684,243								684,243
Libya [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									136,406
Malaysia [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									149,597	11,126
Identifiable Assets	890,991				1,144,498				890,991	1,144,498
New Zealand [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues										56,911	11,995
Saudi Arabia [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									226,251	260,544	246,083
Identifiable Assets	495,501				479,525				495,501	479,525
Singapore [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Identifiable Assets	775,962				982,731				775,962	982,731
The Netherlands [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									67,765	82,026
Identifiable Assets					249,074					249,074
Turkey [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									97,065	13,960
Identifiable Assets					740,362					740,362
United Arab Emirates [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									67,117	108,044	71,896
Identifiable Assets	352,546				331,812				352,546	331,812
United Kingdom [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									87,896	84,078	87,908
Identifiable Assets	430,058				248,835				430,058	248,835
Other [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									15,560	117,204	$ 73,142
Identifiable Assets	$ 176,745				$ 452,176				$ 176,745	$ 452,176

Supplemental Cash Flow Infor106

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Effect of Changes in Other Assets and Liabilities on Cash Flows from Operating Activities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Capital [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	$ 70,165	$ 29,730	$ (165,233)
Other current assets	61,514	(3,201)	(47,848)
Other assets	106,354	(96,941)	34,757
Accounts payable	(30,771)	63,546	50,731
Other current liabilities	(57,496)	(28,644)	61,644
Other liabilities	(26,219)	86,037	2,731
Net change in other assets and liabilities	123,547	50,527	(63,218)
Noble Corp [Member]
Operating Capital [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	70,165	29,730	(165,233)
Other current assets	23,047	(12,670)	(48,186)
Other assets	89,877	(96,925)	35,103
Accounts payable	(28,538)	60,488	49,980
Other current liabilities	(36,580)	(21,921)	62,516
Other liabilities	(25,562)	86,038	2,728
Net change in other assets and liabilities	$ 92,409	$ 44,740	$ (63,092)

Supplemental Cash Flow Infor107

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Additional Cash Flow Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	$ 190,917	$ 159,835	$ 81,897
Income taxes (net of refunds)	89,292	132,527	219,088
Non-cash activities during the period:
Spin-off of Paragon Offshore		1,409,400
Noble Corp [Member]
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	190,917	159,835	81,897
Income taxes (net of refunds)	$ 88,948	130,356	$ 216,391
Non-cash activities during the period:
Spin-off of Paragon Offshore		$ 1,409,400

Information about Noble-Caym108

Information about Noble-Cayman - Guarantor Obligations (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
3.05% Senior Notes due March 2016 [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
2.50% Senior Notes due March 2017 [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
4.00% Senior Notes due March 2018 [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
7.50% Senior Notes due March 2019 [Member] | NHC [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHC
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
7.50% Senior Notes due March 2019 [Member] | NDH [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NDH
7.50% Senior Notes due March 2019 [Member] | NDS6 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	Noble Drilling Services 6 LLC (“NDS6”)
4.90% Senior Notes due August 2020 [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
4.625% Senior Notes due March 2021 [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
3.95% Senior Notes due March 2022 [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
5.95% Senior Notes due April 2025 [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
6.20% Senior Notes due August 2040 [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
6.05% Senior Notes due March 2041 [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
5.25% Senior Notes due 2042 | Noble-Cayman [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman
6.95% Senior Notes due April 2045 [Member] | Noble-Cayman [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Issuer (Co-Issuer(s))	NHIL
Guarantor(s)	Noble-Cayman

Information about Noble-Caym109

Information about Noble-Cayman - Guarantor Obligations (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
3.05% Senior Notes due March 2016 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 300,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes		3.05%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,016
2.50% Senior Notes due March 2017 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 300,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes		2.50%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,017
4.00% Senior Notes due March 2018 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes	$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes	4.00%	4.00%
Senior notes, maturity date	2,018	2,018
7.50% Senior Notes due March 2019 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 202,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes		7.50%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,019
4.90% Senior Notes due August 2020 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 500,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes		4.90%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,020
4.625% Senior Notes due March 2021 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 400,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes		4.625%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,021
3.95% Senior Notes due March 2022 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 400,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes		3.95%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,022
5.95% Senior Notes due April 2025 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes	$ 450,000,000	$ 450,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes	5.95%	5.95%
Senior notes, maturity date	2,025	2,025
6.20% Senior Notes due August 2040 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 400,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes		6.20%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,040
6.05% Senior Notes due March 2041 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 400,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes		6.05%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,041
5.25% Senior Notes due 2042
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes		$ 500,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes		5.25%
Senior notes, maturity date		2,042
6.95% Senior Notes due April 2045 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Face value of senior notes	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes	6.95%	6.95%
Senior notes, maturity date	2,045	2,045

Information about Noble-Caym110

Information about Noble-Cayman - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 512,245	$ 68,510	$ 114,458	$ 282,092
Accounts receivable	498,931	569,096
Taxes receivable	55,525	107,490
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	173,917	183,466
Total current assets	1,240,618	928,562
Property and equipment, at cost	14,056,323	14,442,922
Accumulated depreciation	(2,572,700)	(2,330,413)
Property and equipment, net	11,483,623	12,112,509
Other assets	167,743	245,751
Total assets	12,891,984	13,286,822
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	299,997
Accounts payable	223,221	265,389
Accrued payroll and related costs	81,464	102,520
Taxes payable	87,940	94,230
Interest payable	72,961	61,964
Other current liabilities	98,074	144,571
Total current liabilities	863,657	668,674
Long-term debt	4,188,904	4,869,020
Deferred income taxes	92,797	120,589
Other liabilities	324,396	341,505
Total liabilities	$ 5,469,754	$ 5,999,788
Commitments and contingencies
Total shareholder equity	$ 6,699,229	$ 6,564,730
Noncontrolling interests	723,001	722,304
Total equity	7,422,230	7,287,034	9,050,028	8,488,290
Total liabilities and equity	12,891,984	13,286,822
Noble-Cayman [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	1,627	5	1	1,003
Short-term notes receivable from affiliates		123,449
Accounts receivable from affiliates	626,305	2,019,319
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	246	14,274
Total current assets	628,178	2,157,047
Notes receivable from affiliates	3,304,652	3,304,654
Investments in affiliates	5,159,064	4,567,335
Other assets	5,954	2,908
Total assets	9,097,848	10,031,944
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		600
Accounts payable to affiliates	868,046	606,224
Interest payable		499
Other current liabilities	40	15,651
Total current liabilities	868,086	622,974
Long-term debt		1,123,495
Notes payable to affiliates	1,518,363	1,769,068
Other liabilities	19,929	19,929
Total liabilities	$ 2,406,378	$ 3,535,466
Commitments and contingencies
Total shareholder equity	$ 6,691,470	$ 6,496,478
Total equity	6,691,470	6,496,478
Total liabilities and equity	9,097,848	10,031,944
NHC [Member]
Current assets
Taxes receivable	12,124	63,373
Accounts receivable from affiliates	451,201	374,012
Total current assets	463,325	437,385
Investments in affiliates	2,174,480	1,318,239
Total assets	2,637,805	1,755,624
Current liabilities
Short-term notes payables from affiliates	171,925	171,925
Accounts payable to affiliates	60,100	63,602
Taxes payable	917
Total current liabilities	232,942	235,527
Total liabilities	$ 232,942	$ 235,527
Commitments and contingencies
Total shareholder equity	$ 2,404,863	$ 1,520,097
Total equity	2,404,863	1,520,097
Total liabilities and equity	2,637,805	1,755,624
NDH [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	2,101	254	402	904
Accounts receivable	9,381	37,655
Taxes receivable	27	752
Short-term notes receivable from affiliates	119,476	1,077,965
Accounts receivable from affiliates	128,457	192,771
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,696	1,764
Total current assets	261,138	1,311,161
Property and equipment, at cost	1,877,520	2,040,168
Accumulated depreciation	(344,591)	(278,147)
Property and equipment, net	1,532,929	1,762,021
Notes receivable from affiliates	236,921	236,921
Investments in affiliates	3,001,327	2,921,452
Other assets	7,496	6,212
Total assets	5,039,811	6,237,767
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	10,676	10,130
Accrued payroll and related costs	6,584	7,738
Accounts payable to affiliates	2,440,965	3,513,705
Other current liabilities	4,108	13,409
Total current liabilities	2,462,333	3,544,982
Notes payable to affiliates	461,379	598,715
Deferred income taxes	1,529
Other liabilities	25,312	29,093
Total liabilities	$ 2,950,553	$ 4,172,790
Commitments and contingencies
Total shareholder equity	$ 2,089,258	$ 2,064,977
Total equity	2,089,258	2,064,977
Total liabilities and equity	5,039,811	6,237,767
NHIL [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents			4	2
Accounts receivable		2,336
Accounts receivable from affiliates	811,785	157,164
Total current assets	811,785	159,500
Notes receivable from affiliates	1,587,927	1,980,391
Investments in affiliates	9,752,912	8,266,444
Other assets	25,944	19,826
Total assets	12,178,568	10,426,161
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	299,997
Accounts payable to affiliates	96,543	61,982
Interest payable	68,549	57,053
Total current liabilities	465,089	119,035
Long-term debt	3,987,209	3,543,830
Notes payable to affiliates	2,086,480	1,169,180
Total liabilities	$ 6,538,778	$ 4,832,045
Commitments and contingencies
Total shareholder equity	$ 5,639,790	$ 5,594,116
Total equity	5,639,790	5,594,116
Total liabilities and equity	12,178,568	10,426,161
NDS6 [Member]
Current assets
Short-term notes receivable from affiliates		333,966
Accounts receivable from affiliates	67,684	125,834
Total current assets	67,684	459,800
Notes receivable from affiliates	5,000	5,000
Investments in affiliates	7,438,397	6,290,918
Other assets	395	517
Total assets	7,511,476	6,756,235
Current liabilities
Short-term notes payables from affiliates		371,720
Accounts payable to affiliates	6,426	16,869
Interest payable	4,412	4,412
Total current liabilities	10,838	393,001
Long-term debt	201,695	201,695
Notes payable to affiliates	124,216	192,216
Total liabilities	$ 336,749	$ 786,912
Commitments and contingencies
Total shareholder equity	$ 7,174,727	$ 5,969,323
Total equity	7,174,727	5,969,323
Total liabilities and equity	7,511,476	6,756,235
Other Non-guarantor Subsidiaries of Noble [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	508,067	65,521	109,975	275,466
Accounts receivable	489,550	529,105
Taxes receivable	43,291	43,164
Short-term notes receivable from affiliates	171,925	171,925
Accounts receivable from affiliates	3,445,590	4,191,406
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	166,527	123,631
Total current assets	4,824,950	5,124,752
Property and equipment, at cost	12,177,038	12,364,203
Accumulated depreciation	(2,227,740)	(2,040,073)
Property and equipment, net	9,949,298	10,324,130
Notes receivable from affiliates	2,435,154	1,581,429
Other assets	118,869	192,791
Total assets	17,328,271	17,223,102
Current liabilities
Short-term notes payables from affiliates	119,476	1,163,660
Accounts payable	210,401	250,282
Accrued payroll and related costs	74,780	83,749
Accounts payable to affiliates	2,058,942	2,798,124
Taxes payable	87,191	91,471
Other current liabilities	92,183	110,890
Total current liabilities	2,642,973	4,498,176
Notes payable to affiliates	3,379,216	3,379,216
Deferred income taxes	91,268	120,589
Other liabilities	274,271	286,942
Total liabilities	$ 6,387,728	$ 8,284,923
Commitments and contingencies
Total shareholder equity	$ 9,781,284	$ 7,812,656
Noncontrolling interests	1,159,259	1,125,523
Total equity	10,940,543	8,938,179
Total liabilities and equity	17,328,271	17,223,102
Noble Corp [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	511,795	65,780	110,382	277,375
Accounts receivable	498,931	569,096
Taxes receivable	55,442	107,289
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	168,469	139,669
Total current assets	1,234,637	881,834
Property and equipment, at cost	14,054,558	14,404,371
Accumulated depreciation	(2,572,331)	(2,318,220)
Property and equipment, net	11,482,227	12,086,151
Other assets	158,658	222,254
Total assets	12,875,522	13,190,239
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	299,997
Accounts payable	221,077	261,012
Accrued payroll and related costs	81,364	91,487
Taxes payable	88,108	91,471
Interest payable	72,961	61,964
Other current liabilities	96,331	139,950
Total current liabilities	859,838	645,884
Long-term debt	4,188,904	4,869,020
Deferred income taxes	92,797	120,589
Other liabilities	319,512	335,964
Total liabilities	$ 5,461,051	$ 5,971,457
Commitments and contingencies
Total shareholder equity	$ 6,691,470	$ 6,496,478
Noncontrolling interests	723,001	722,304
Total equity	7,414,471	7,218,782	$ 9,155,484	$ 8,531,082
Total liabilities and equity	12,875,522	13,190,239
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Current assets
Short-term notes receivable from affiliates	(291,401)	(1,707,305)
Accounts receivable from affiliates	(5,531,022)	(7,060,506)
Total current assets	(5,822,423)	(8,767,811)
Notes receivable from affiliates	(7,569,654)	(7,108,395)
Investments in affiliates	(27,526,180)	(23,364,388)
Total assets	(40,918,257)	(39,240,594)
Current liabilities
Short-term notes payables from affiliates	(291,401)	(1,707,305)
Accounts payable to affiliates	(5,531,022)	(7,060,506)
Total current liabilities	(5,822,423)	(8,767,811)
Notes payable to affiliates	(7,569,654)	(7,108,395)
Total liabilities	$ (13,392,077)	$ (15,876,206)
Commitments and contingencies
Total shareholder equity	$ (27,089,922)	$ (22,961,169)
Noncontrolling interests	(436,258)	(403,219)
Total equity	(27,526,180)	(23,364,388)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (40,918,257)	$ (39,240,594)

Information about Noble-Caym111

Information about Noble-Cayman - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services									$ 3,261,610	$ 3,147,859	$ 2,454,745
Reimbursables									90,642	84,644	66,292
Labor contract drilling services											17,095
Total operating revenues	$ 857,684	$ 896,671	$ 793,555	$ 804,342	$ 804,740	$ 828,796	$ 803,781	$ 795,187	3,352,252	3,232,504	2,538,143
Other										1	11
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services									1,232,529	1,500,512	1,168,764
Reimbursables									70,276	66,378	50,410
Labor contract drilling services											11,601
Depreciation and amortization									634,305	627,473	511,513
General and administrative									76,843	106,771	117,997
Gain on disposal of assets, net											(35,646)
Gain on contract settlements/extinguishments, net											(30,618)
Total operating costs and expenses									2,432,251	3,046,562	1,797,606
Operating income	(49,480)	409,973	275,149	284,359	(541,864)	243,633	235,205	248,968	920,001	185,942	740,537
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized									(213,854)	(155,179)	(106,300)
Interest income and other, net									36,286	(1,298)	4,184
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									742,433	29,465	638,421
Income tax provision									(159,232)	(106,651)	(92,117)
Net income									583,201	83,316	850,406
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(72,201)	(74,825)	(67,709)
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc	$ (152,241)	$ 325,807	$ 159,031	$ 178,403	$ (594,539)	$ 147,389	$ 140,325	$ 154,814	511,000	8,491	782,697
Other comprehensive income (loss), net									6,243	(21,732)	33,285
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc									517,243	(13,241)	815,982
Net income (loss) from continuing operations									583,201	(77,186)	546,304
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax										160,502	304,102
Noble-Cayman [Member]
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services									3,611	30,885	24,039
General and administrative									1,138	2,437	7,380
Gain on contract settlements/extinguishments, net											(45,000)
Total operating costs and expenses									4,749	33,322	(13,581)
Operating income									(4,749)	(33,322)	13,581
Other income (expense)
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates									591,297	(2,885,628)	653,815
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized									(75,925)	(93,536)	(127,995)
Interest income and other, net									24,188	2,913,631	6,609
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									534,811	124,228	867,814
Net income									534,811	124,228	867,814
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc									534,811	124,228	867,814
Other comprehensive income (loss), net									6,243	(21,732)	33,285
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc									541,054	102,496	901,099
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—discontinued operations, net of tax										223,083	321,804
Total income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates										(2,662,545)	975,619
Net income (loss) from continuing operations										124,228	867,814
NHC [Member]
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services									19,160	39,039	22,195
General and administrative									8,683	11,376	7,396
Total operating costs and expenses									27,843	50,415	29,591
Operating income									(27,843)	(50,415)	(29,591)
Other income (expense)
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates									73,319	157,648	65,868
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized									(4,932)	(3,046)	(1,081)
Interest income and other, net									4,852
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									45,396	154,752	80,294
Income tax provision									(77,929)	(68,805)	(24,592)
Net income									(32,533)	67,292	39,133
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc									(32,533)	67,292	39,133
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc									(32,533)	67,292	39,133
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—discontinued operations, net of tax										50,565	45,098
Total income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates										208,213	110,966
Net income (loss) from continuing operations										85,947	55,702
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax										(18,655)	(16,569)
NDH [Member]
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services									354,657	327,070	240,631
Reimbursables									18,529	6,239	8,498
Total operating revenues									373,186	333,309	249,129
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services									395,365	120,971	70,359
Reimbursables									13,686	4,687	6,850
Depreciation and amortization									77,187	65,164	62,778
Loss on impairment									13
Total operating costs and expenses									486,251	190,822	139,987
Operating income									(113,065)	142,487	109,142
Other income (expense)
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates									190,335	(80,080)	(53,235)
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized									(12,110)	(24,974)	(23,156)
Interest income and other, net									52,026	249,005	262,717
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									117,186	315,018	603,656
Income tax provision									(4,466)	(3,574)	3,655
Net income									112,720	318,078	631,840
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc									112,720	318,078	631,840
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc									112,720	318,078	631,840
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—discontinued operations, net of tax										28,580	308,188
Total income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates										(51,500)	254,953
Net income (loss) from continuing operations										311,444	607,311
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax										6,634	24,529
NHIL [Member]
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services									84,005	115,909	110,138
General and administrative									38,167	31,620	36,050
Total operating costs and expenses									122,172	147,529	146,188
Operating income									(122,172)	(147,529)	(146,188)
Other income (expense)
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates									936,429	604,419	641,155
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized									(224,894)	(169,666)	(139,784)
Interest income and other, net									71,617	89,449	154,442
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									660,980	547,518	940,774
Net income									660,980	547,518	940,719
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc									660,980	547,518	940,719
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc									660,980	547,518	940,719
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—discontinued operations, net of tax										170,845	431,149
Total income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates										775,264	1,072,304
Net income (loss) from continuing operations										547,518	940,774
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax											(55)
NDS6 [Member]
Operating costs and expenses
General and administrative									1	1	1
Total operating costs and expenses									1	1	1
Operating income									(1)	(1)	(1)
Other income (expense)
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates									647,856	448,785	(1,136,831)
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized									(25,578)	(33,671)	(45,897)
Interest income and other, net									5,165	3,308	1,569,003
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									627,442	424,661	449,509
Income tax provision										(1,546)
Net income									627,442	423,115	449,509
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc									627,442	423,115	449,509
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc									627,442	423,115	449,509
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—discontinued operations, net of tax										6,240	63,235
Total income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates										455,025	(1,073,596)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations										423,115	449,509
Other Non-guarantor Subsidiaries of Noble [Member]
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services									3,325,608	3,067,195	2,291,475
Reimbursables									72,113	78,405	57,794
Labor contract drilling services											17,095
Revenue from affiliates									200
Total operating revenues									3,397,921	3,145,601	2,366,375
Other										1	11
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services									1,142,891	1,447,073	1,009,801
Reimbursables									56,590	61,691	43,560
Labor contract drilling services											11,601
Depreciation and amortization									556,057	559,114	446,563
General and administrative									7,446	7,560	14,032
Loss on impairment									418,285	745,428	3,585
Gain on disposal of assets, net											(35,646)
Gain on contract settlements/extinguishments, net											14,382
Total operating costs and expenses									2,181,269	2,820,866	1,507,878
Operating income									1,216,652	324,735	858,497
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized									(68,670)	(3,148,822)	(1,852,423)
Interest income and other, net									75,071	64,267	94,821
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									1,223,053	(2,759,820)	(899,105)
Income tax provision									(80,225)	(32,005)	(68,040)
Net income									1,142,828	(2,556,721)	(653,246)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(105,240)	(98,603)	(114,314)
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc									1,037,588	(2,655,324)	(767,560)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net									6,243	(21,732)	33,285
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc									1,043,831	(2,677,056)	(734,275)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations										(2,791,825)	(967,145)
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax										235,104	313,899
Noble Corp [Member]
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services									3,261,610	3,147,859	2,454,745
Reimbursables									90,642	84,644	66,292
Labor contract drilling services											17,095
Revenue from affiliates									200
Total operating revenues									3,352,452	3,232,504	2,538,143
Other										1	11
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services									1,226,377	1,507,471	1,159,171
Reimbursables									70,276	66,378	50,410
Labor contract drilling services											11,601
Depreciation and amortization									633,244	624,278	509,341
General and administrative									55,435	52,994	64,859
Loss on impairment									418,298	745,428	3,585
Gain on disposal of assets, net											(35,646)
Gain on contract settlements/extinguishments, net											(30,618)
Total operating costs and expenses									2,403,630	2,996,549	1,732,703
Operating income									948,822	235,955	805,440
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized									(213,854)	(155,179)	(106,300)
Interest income and other, net									34,664	1,124	3,556
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									769,632	81,900	702,696
Income tax provision									(162,620)	(105,930)	(88,977)
Net income									607,012	199,053	935,523
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(72,201)	(74,825)	(67,709)
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc									534,811	124,228	867,814
Other comprehensive income (loss), net									6,243	(21,732)	33,285
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc									541,054	102,496	901,099
Net income (loss) from continuing operations									607,012	(24,030)	613,719
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax										223,083	321,804
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services									(418,655)	(246,406)	(77,361)
Total operating revenues									(418,655)	(246,406)	(77,361)
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services									(418,655)	(246,406)	(77,361)
Total operating costs and expenses									(418,655)	(246,406)	(77,361)
Other income (expense)
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates									(2,439,236)	1,754,856	(170,772)
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized									198,255	3,318,536	2,084,036
Interest income and other, net									(198,255)	(3,318,536)	(2,084,036)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									(2,439,236)	1,275,543	(1,340,246)
Net income									(2,439,236)	1,275,543	(1,340,246)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									33,039	23,778	46,605
Net income attributable to Noble Corporation plc									(2,406,197)	1,299,321	(1,293,641)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net									(6,243)	21,732	(33,285)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noble Corporation plc									$ (2,412,440)	1,321,053	(1,326,926)
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates—discontinued operations, net of tax										(479,313)	(1,169,474)
Total income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates										1,275,543	(1,340,246)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations										$ 1,275,543	$ (1,340,246)

Information about Noble-Caym112

Information about Noble-Cayman - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	$ 1,762,351	$ 1,778,208	$ 1,702,317
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from disposal of assets	4,614		61,000
Net cash from investing activities	(432,537)	(2,109,268)	(2,485,107)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities	(1,123,495)	(437,647)	1,221,333
Repayment of long-term debt	(350,000)	(250,000)	(300,000)
Issuance of senior notes	1,092,728
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities	(16,070)	(398)	(2,484)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(71,504)	(79,966)	(105,388)
Net cash from financing activities	(886,079)	285,112	615,156
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	443,735	(45,948)	(167,634)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	68,510	114,458	282,092
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	512,245	68,510	114,458
Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		1,710,550
Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		(14,676)
Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-off		(104,152)
Noble-Cayman [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	(31,562)	2,825,524	(117,993)
Cash flows from investing activities
Notes receivable from affiliates	124,951	50
Net cash from investing activities	124,951	50
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities	(1,123,495)	(437,647)	1,221,333
Repayment of long-term debt			(300,000)
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities	(6,450)	(398)	(2,484)
Distributions to parent company, net	(400,614)	(631,095)	(265,880)
Advances (to) from affiliates	2,047,563	(1,482,686)	(241,180)
Notes payable to affiliates	(608,771)	(273,744)	(294,798)
Net cash from financing activities	(91,767)	(2,825,570)	116,991
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	1,622	4	(1,002)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	5	1	1,003
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,627	5	1
NHC [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	(53,686)	(151,987)	(133,595)
Cash flows from financing activities
Advances (to) from affiliates	53,686	151,987	133,595
Net cash from financing activities	53,686	151,987	133,595
NDH [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	15,207	366,583	424,147
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(116,594)	(1,404,560)	(1,594,449)
Net cash from investing activities	(116,594)	(1,404,560)	(1,594,449)
Cash flows from financing activities
Advances (to) from affiliates	103,234	1,037,829	1,169,800
Net cash from financing activities	103,234	1,037,829	1,169,800
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	1,847	(148)	(502)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	254	402	904
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,101	254	402
NHIL [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	(267,735)	(232,605)	(128,315)
Cash flows from investing activities
Notes receivable from affiliates	608,771	273,744
Net cash from investing activities	608,771	273,744
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of long-term debt	(350,000)	(250,000)
Issuance of senior notes	1,092,728
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities	(9,620)
Advances (to) from affiliates	(1,074,144)	208,857	128,317
Net cash from financing activities	(341,036)	(41,143)	128,317
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(4)	2
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		4	2
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period			4
NDS6 [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	(20,292)	(31,788)	1,523,225
Cash flows from financing activities
Advances (to) from affiliates	20,292	31,788	(1,523,225)
Net cash from financing activities	20,292	31,788	(1,523,225)
Other Non-guarantor Subsidiaries of Noble [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	2,105,575	(903,811)	201,161
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(320,557)	(704,574)	(949,755)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	4,614		61,000
Notes receivable from affiliates			294,798
Net cash from investing activities	(315,943)	(704,574)	(593,957)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(71,504)	(79,966)	(105,388)
Advances (to) from affiliates	(1,150,631)	52,225	332,693
Notes payable to affiliates	(124,951)	(50)
Net cash from financing activities	(1,347,086)	1,563,931	227,305
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	442,546	(44,454)	(165,491)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	65,521	109,975	275,466
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	508,067	65,521	109,975
Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		1,710,550
Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		(14,676)
Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-off		(104,152)
Noble Corp [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash from operating activities	1,747,507	1,871,916	1,768,630
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(437,151)	(2,109,134)	(2,544,204)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	4,614		61,000
Net cash from investing activities	(432,537)	(2,109,134)	(2,483,204)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in borrowings outstanding on bank credit facilities	(1,123,495)	(437,647)	1,221,333
Repayment of long-term debt	(350,000)	(250,000)	(300,000)
Issuance of senior notes	1,092,728
Debt issuance costs on senior notes and credit facilities	(16,070)	(398)	(2,484)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(71,504)	(79,966)	(105,388)
Distributions to parent company, net	(400,614)	(631,095)	(265,880)
Net cash from financing activities	(868,955)	192,616	547,581
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	446,015	(44,602)	(166,993)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	65,780	110,382	277,375
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	511,795	65,780	110,382
Long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		1,710,550
Financing costs on long-term borrowings of Paragon Offshore		(14,676)
Cash balances of Paragon Offshore in Spin-off		(104,152)
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities
Notes receivable from affiliates	(733,722)	(273,794)	(294,798)
Net cash from investing activities	(733,722)	(273,794)	(294,798)
Cash flows from financing activities
Notes payable to affiliates	733,722	273,794	294,798
Net cash from financing activities	$ 733,722	$ 273,794	$ 294,798

Unaudited Interim Financial 113

Unaudited Interim Financial Data - Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 857,684	$ 896,671	$ 793,555	$ 804,342	$ 804,740	$ 828,796	$ 803,781	$ 795,187	$ 3,352,252	$ 3,232,504	$ 2,538,143
Operating income (loss)	(49,480)	409,973	275,149	284,359	(541,864)	243,633	235,205	248,968	920,001	185,942	740,537
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK	$ (152,241)	$ 325,807	$ 159,031	$ 178,403	$ (594,539)	$ 147,389	$ 140,325	$ 154,814	$ 511,000	$ 8,491	$ 782,697
Net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to Noble-UK
Basic	$ (0.63)	$ 1.32	$ 0.64	$ 0.72	$ (2.38)	$ 0.57	$ 0.54	$ 0.60	$ 2.06	$ 0.03	$ 3.05
Diluted	$ (0.63)	$ 1.32	$ 0.64	$ 0.72	$ (2.38)	$ 0.57	$ 0.54	$ 0.60	$ 2.06	$ 0.03	$ 3.05