NOW (DNOW) 10-Q 7 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'DNOW	'
Entity Registrant Name	'NOW INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001599617	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	107,067,457

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$166	$101
Receivables, net	906	661
Inventories, net	905	850
Deferred income taxes	20	21
Prepaid and other current assets	35	29
Total current assets	2,032	1,662
Property, plant and equipment, net	124	102
Deferred income taxes	9	15
Goodwill	328	333
Intangibles, net	65	68
Other assets	'	3
Total assets	2,558	2,183
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	454	264
Accrued liabilities	120	99
Accrued income taxes	4	'
Total current liabilities	578	363
Deferred income taxes	5	16
Other liabilities	2	2
Total liabilities	585	381
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock-par value $0.01; 330 million shares authorized; 107,067,457 shares issued and outstanding	1	'
Preferred stock-par value $0.01; 20 million shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	1,951	'
Retained earnings	42	'
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. ("NOV") net investment	'	1,802
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-21	'
Total stockholders' equity	1,973	1,802
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$2,558	$2,183

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	330,000,000	330,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	107,067,457	107,067,457
Common stock, shares outstanding	107,067,457	107,067,457
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$1,070	$1,113	$3,099	$3,255
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of products	857	907	2,485	2,655
Operating and warehousing costs	108	104	315	308
Selling, general and administrative	55	39	144	118
Operating profit	50	63	155	174
Other income (expense)	-1	-4	-1	'
Income before income taxes	49	59	154	174
Provision for income taxes	17	20	54	61
Net income	$32	$39	$100	$113
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per common share	$0.30	$0.37	$0.93	$1.06
Diluted earnings per common share	$0.30	$0.36	$0.93	$1.05
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic	107,061,639	107,053,031	107,055,932	107,053,031
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted	107,625,243	107,468,868	107,548,167	107,468,868

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$32	$39	$100	$113
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Currency translation adjustments	-22	'	-21	-18
Comprehensive income	$10	$39	$79	$95

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$100	$113
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	14	12
Deferred income taxes	'	1
Stock-Based compensation	10	5
Other, net	-4	10
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Receivables	-244	-24
Inventories	-49	80
Prepaid and other current assets	-6	-19
Accounts payable	211	45
Income taxes payable	4	-4
Other assets / liabilities, net	-6	-12
Net cash provided by operating activities	30	207
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-32	-50
Other, net	8	1
Net cash used in investing activities	-24	-49
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net contributions from (distributions to) NOV	74	-224
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	74	-224
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	-15	-1
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	65	-67
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	101	138
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	166	71
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'
Income taxes paid	50	65
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Contributed property, plant and equipment, net	4	'
Accrued purchases of property, plant and equipment	$1	'

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	NOV Net Investment [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
In Millions, except Share data
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,802	'	'	$1,802	'
Net income	41	'	'	41	'
Net contributions from NOV	78	'	'	78	'
Other comprehensive income/loss	-17	'	'	'	-17
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2014	1,904	'	'	1,921	-17
beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock at the Separation	'	107,053,000	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options	'	5,000	'	'	'
Ending balance, Common stock value at Jun. 30, 2014	'	1	'	'	'
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2014	'	1,946	'	'	'
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2014	'	107,058,000	'	'	'
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2014	1,904	'	'	1,921	-17
Net income	17	'	'	17	'
Net contributions from NOV	6	'	'	6	'
Other comprehensive income/loss	18	'	'	'	18
Stock-based compensation	3	2	'	1	'
Reclassification of NOV net investment to additional paid in capital	'	1,945	'	-1,945	'
Issuance of common stock at Separation	'	-1	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock at the Separation, par value	'	1	'	'	'
Net income earned after May 30, 2014 Separation	10	'	10	'	'
Ending balance, Common stock value at Jun. 30, 2014	'	1	'	'	'
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2014	1,958	1,946	10	'	1
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2014	'	107,058,000	'	'	'
Net income	32	'	32	'	'
Other comprehensive income/loss	-22	'	'	'	-22
Stock-based compensation	5	5	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options	'	9,000	'	'	'
Ending balance, Common stock value at Sep. 30, 2014	1	1	'	'	'
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$1,973	$1,951	$42	'	($21)
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2014	'	107,067,000	'	'	'

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres

Organization and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization and Basis of Presentation	'
	1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
	The Separation
	On May 1, 2014, the National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (“NOV”) Board of Directors approved the spin-off (the “Spin-Off” or “Separation”) of its distribution business into an independent, publicly traded company named NOW Inc. (“NOW” or the “Company”). In accordance with a separation and distribution agreement, the two companies were separated by NOV distributing to its stockholders all 107,053,031 shares of common stock of the Company after the market closed on May 30, 2014. Each NOV stockholder received one share of NOW common stock for every four shares of NOV common stock held at the close of business on the record date of May 22, 2014 and not sold prior to close of business May 30, 2014. Fractional shares of NOW common stock were not distributed and any fractional shares of NOW common stock otherwise issuable to a NOV stockholder were sold in the open market on such stockholder’s behalf, and such stockholder received a cash payment with respect to that fractional share. In conjunction with the Separation, NOV received an opinion from its legal counsel to the effect that, based on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the distribution of NOW common stock and certain related transactions generally was not taxable to NOV or U.S. holders of NOV common stock, except in respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares, which generally will be taxable to such holders as a capital gain. Following the Separation, NOW is an independent, publicly traded company, and NOV has no ownership interest in NOW. Each company now has separate public ownership, boards of directors and management. A Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, relating to the Spin-Off was filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and was declared effective on May 13, 2014. On June 2, 2014, NOW stock began trading the “regular-way” on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DNOW”.
	Basis of Presentation
	All financial information presented before the Spin-Off represents the combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the Company and all financial information presented after the Spin-Off represents the consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the Company.
		•	The Company’s consolidated statement of income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 consist of the consolidated results of NOW for the period from July 1 through September 30, 2014.
		•	The Company’s consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 consist of the consolidated results of NOW for the period from May 31 through September 30 and the combined results of NOW for the period from January 1, 2014 through May 30, 2014.
		•	The Company’s consolidated balance sheet as at September 30, 2014 is presented on a consolidated basis, whereas the
		•	Company’s consolidated balance sheet as at December 31, 2013 was prepared on a combined basis.
		•	The Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 consist of the consolidated cash flows of NOW for the period from May 31 through September 30 and the combined cash flows of NOW for the period from January 1, 2014 through May 30, 2014.
	The Company’s historical financial statements prior to May 31, 2014 were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of NOV and include assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses directly attributable to the Company’s operations. The assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements have been reflected on a historical cost basis, as immediately prior to the separation all of the assets and liabilities presented were wholly owned by NOV and were transferred within NOV. For the periods prior to the Separation, the consolidated financial statements include expense allocations for certain functions provided by NOV as well as other NOV employees not solely dedicated to NOW, including, but not limited to, general corporate expenses related to finance, legal, information technology, human resources, communications, ethics and compliance, shared services, employee benefits and incentives, and stock-based compensation. These expenses were allocated to NOW on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on the basis of operating profit, headcount or other measures.
	Actual costs that would have been incurred if the Company had been a stand-alone public company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure. The Company’s historical financial statements prior to May 31, 2014 do not reflect the debt or interest costs it might have incurred if it had been a stand-alone entity. In addition, the Company expects to incur other costs, not reflected in its historical financial statements prior to May 31, 2014, as a result of being a separate publicly traded company. As a result, the Company’s historical financial statements prior to May 31, 2014 do not necessarily reflect what its financial position or results of operations would have been if it had been operated as a stand-alone public entity during the periods covered prior to May 31, 2014, and may not be indicative of the Company’s future results of operations and financial position.
	The consolidated financial statements include certain assets and liabilities that had historically been held by NOV but which are specifically identifiable or otherwise allocable to the Company. The cash and cash equivalents held by NOV were not specifically identifiable to NOW and therefore not allocated to it for any of the periods presented prior to the Separation. Cash and equivalents in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets primarily represent cash held locally by entities included in its consolidated financial statements. Transfers of cash prior to the Separation to and from NOV’s cash management system are reflected as a component of NOV net investment within equity on the consolidated balance sheets.
	Prior to the Separation, all significant intercompany transactions between NOW and NOV were considered to be effectively settled for cash at the time the transaction was recorded. The total net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions is reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flow as a financing activity and in the consolidated balance sheet as NOV net investment within equity.
	The unaudited consolidated financial information included in this report has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. The principles for interim financial information do not require the inclusion of all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Company’s most recent Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported and contingent amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximated fair value because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments. Cash equivalents include only those investments having a maturity date of three months or less at the time of purchase. See Note 12 for the fair value of derivative financial instruments.
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08 Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which is an update for Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 205 “Presentation of Financial Statements” and Topic No. 360 “Property, Plant and Equipment’. This update changes the requirements of reporting discontinued operations. Under the amended guidance, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The amendments in this update are 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, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this update concerns presentation and disclosure only as it relates to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU No. 2014-08 on its financial position and results of operations. No material changes are expected upon adoption of this ASU.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity using GAAP that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. In addition, the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer (e.g., assets within the scope of Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, and intangible assets within the scope of Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other) are amended to be consistent with the guidance on recognition and measurement (including the constraint on revenue) in this ASU. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The ASU provides two transition methods: (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this ASU recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU No. 2014-09 on its financial position and results of operations.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	2. Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment consist of (in millions):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Information technology equipment	$	60		$	27
	Operating equipment		53			57
	Land and buildings		64			60
	Construction in progress		11			19
	Total property, plant and equipment		188			163
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(64	)		(61	)
	Net property, plant and equipment	$	124		$	102

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	3. Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities consist of (in millions):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Compensation and other related expenses	$	30	$	24
	Customer prepayments		25		18
	Taxes (non income)		27		25
	Other		38		32
	Total	$	120	$	99

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	4. Debt
	Credit Facility
	On April 18, 2014, the Company entered into a five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders, including Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent. The credit facility became available to the Company on June 2, 2014 as a result of the satisfaction of customary conditions, including the consummation of the Separation. The credit facility is for an aggregate principal amount of up to $750 million with sub-facilities for standby letters of credit and swingline loans, each with a sublimit of $150 million and $50 million, respectively. The Company has the right, subject to certain conditions, to increase the aggregate principal amount of commitments under the credit facility by $250 million. Borrowings under the credit facility will bear interest at a base rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable interest margin based on our capitalization ratio. The base rate is calculated as the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the prime commercial lending rate of the administrative agent, as established from time to time at its principal U.S. office, and (c) the Daily One-Month LIBOR (as defined in the credit agreement) plus 1%. The Company also has the option for our borrowings under the credit facility to bear interest based on LIBOR (as defined in the credit agreement). The credit facility is unsecured and guaranteed by our domestic subsidiaries. The credit agreement also provides for customary fees, including administrative agent fees, commitment fees, fees in respect of letters of credit and other fees. The annual commitment fee ranges from 25 to 35 basis points of the unused portion of the credit facility. The line of credit expires in April 2019, unless extended.
	The credit facility contains usual and customary affirmative and negative covenants for credit facilities of this type including financial covenants consisting of (a) a maximum capitalization ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of 50% and (b) a minimum interest coverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of no less than 3:1. As of September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.
	At September 30, 2014, the Company had no borrowings against its revolving credit facility and a $2 million letter of credit was issued under its revolving credit facility. The letter of credit was issued in conjunction with casualty insurance expiring May 30, 2015.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	5. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in millions):
		Currency
		Translation
		Adjustments
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	—
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(21	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(21	)
	The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. A majority of the Company’s international entities in which there is a substantial investment have the local currency as their functional currency. As a result, currency translation adjustments resulting from the process of translating the entities’ financial statements into the reporting currency are reported in Other Comprehensive Income or Loss in accordance with ASC Topic 830 “Foreign Currency Matters” (“ASC Topic 830”).

Business_Segments

Business Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segments	'
	6. Business Segments
	Operating results by reportable segment are as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30						September 30
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenue:
	United States	$	748		$	732		$	2,114		$	2,187
	Canada		173			191			489			578
	International		149			190			496			490
	Total revenue	$	1,070		$	1,113		$	3,099		$	3,255
	Operating profit:
	United States	$	28		$	36		$	86		$	109
	Canada		14			13			33			35
	International		8			14			36			30
	Total operating profit	$	50		$	63		$	155		$	174
	Operating profit %:
	United States		3.7	%		4.9	%		4.1	%		5	%
	Canada		8.1	%		6.8	%		6.7	%		6.1	%
	International		5.4	%		7.4	%		7.3	%		6.1	%
	Total operating profit %		4.7	%		5.7	%		5	%		5.3	%

Income_Tax

Income Tax	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax	'
	7. Income Tax
	In connection with the Separation, the Company and NOV entered into a Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2014 (the “Tax Matters Agreement”), which governs the Company’s and NOV’s respective rights, responsibilities and obligations. The Tax Matters Agreement sets forth the Company and NOV’s rights and obligations related to the allocation of federal, state, local and foreign taxes for periods before and after the Spin-Off, as well as taxes attributable to the Spin-Off, and related matters such as the filing of tax returns and the conduct of IRS and other audits. Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, NOV will prepare and file the consolidated federal income tax return, and any other tax returns that include both NOV and the Company for all taxable periods ending on or prior to May 30, 2014. NOV will indemnify and hold harmless the Company for any income tax liability for periods before the Separation date. The Company will prepare and file all tax returns that include solely the Company for all taxable periods ending after that date. Settlements of tax payments between NOV and the Company were generally treated as contributions from or distributions to NOV in periods prior to the Separation date.
	The effective tax rate for the Company was 34.7% and 35.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and 33.9% and 35.0% for the same periods of the prior year, respectively. Compared to the U.S. statutory rate, the effective tax rate is increased in the periods by the effect of state income taxes and certain non-deductible expenses that is offset by the effect of lower tax rates on income earned in foreign jurisdictions which are permanently reinvested. The provision for income taxes for periods prior to the Separation has been computed as if NOW were a stand-alone company.
	The difference between the effective tax rate reflected in the provision for income taxes and the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% was as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30						September 30
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Federal income tax at the U.S. federal statutory rate	$	17		$	21		$	54		$	61
	Foreign income tax rate differential		(1	)		(2	)		(3	)		(4	)
	State income tax, net of federal benefit		1			1			2			2
	Nondeductible expenses/foreign inclusions		1			1			3			5
	Foreign tax credit		(1	)		(1	)		(3	)		(4	)
	Other		—			—			1			1
	Provision for income taxes	$	17		$	20		$	54		$	61
	The Company is subject to taxation in the United States, various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has significant operations in the United States and Canada and to a lesser extent in various other international jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, Indonesia and Norway. Tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions vary by legal entity, but are generally open in the U.S. for the tax years ending after 2009 and outside the U.S. for the tax years ending after 2006. The Company is indemnified for any income tax expense exposures related to periods prior to the Separation.
	To the extent penalties and interest would be assessed on any underpayment of income tax, such accrued amounts will continue to be classified as a component of income tax expense in the financial statements.

Stockbased_Compensation_and_Ou

Stock-based Compensation and Outstanding Awards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based Compensation and Outstanding Awards	'
	8. Stock-based Compensation and Outstanding Awards
	Prior to the Separation, the Company participated in NOV’s stock-based compensation plan known as the National Oilwell Varco, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “NOV Plan”) and the Company’s employees were issued NOV equity awards. Under the NOV Plan, our employees were granted stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), performance share awards (PSAs) and/or restricted stock awards (RSAs).
	In connection with the Separation, the Company established the NOW Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan was adopted by the Company’s board of directors and approved by NOV, as the Company’s sole stockholder, on May 1, 2014. In connection with the Separation, stock-based compensation awards granted under the NOV Plan and held by Company employees as of May 30, 2014, were adjusted or substituted as follows. These adjustments were intended to preserve the intrinsic value of the awards on May 30, 2014.
		•		Stock option awards held by Company employees were replaced with substitute awards to purchase NOW common stock.
		•		Unvested RSAs and RSUs under the NOV plan were replaced with adjusted, substitute awards for NOW RSAs or RSUs, as applicable.
		•		PSAs received were replaced entirely with substitute NOW RSAs.
	Stock based compensation expense recognized in the three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 totaled $5 million and $2 million, respectively. Stock based compensation expense recognized in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 totaled $10 million and $5 million, respectively. Adjustment and substitution of the awards did not result in additional compensation expense.
	Awards granted under the Plan as a result of the adjustment and substitution of the NOV Plan awards in connection with the Separation and a summary of stock option, RSU and RSA activity for the period from May 30, 2014, to September 30, 2014, are presented in the following table:
			Stock Options			RSUs / RSAs
			Awards			Awards
	Outstanding as of May 30, 2014			3,599,654			1,034,055
	Granted			—			—
	Forfeited			—			—
	Exercised or settled			(4,667	)		—
	Expired or canceled			—			—
	Outstanding as of June 30, 2014			3,594,987			1,034,055
	Granted			—			169,014
	Forfeited			(28,805	)		(6,194	)
	Exercised or settled			(9,613	)		—
	Expired or canceled			—			—
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014			3,556,569			1,196,875
	All Stock Options, RSUs, and RSAs presented in this table are for NOW stock only.
	Awards granted in connection with the adjustment and substitution of awards originally issued under the NOV Plan were deducted from the number of NOW shares of common stock available for grant under the Plan. As of September 30, 2014, unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards was $15 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years. Unrecognized compensation cost related to RSU and RSA awards was $26 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.7 years. The calculations of unamortized expense and weighted-average periods include awards that were based on both NOW and NOV stock held by NOW employees.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	9. Earnings Per Share
	In conjunction with the Separation, NOV distributed to its stockholders all 107,053,031 shares of common stock of NOW Inc. after the market closed on May 30, 2014. Each NOV stockholder received one share of NOW common stock for every four shares of NOV common stock held at the close of business on the record date of May 22, 2014 and not sold prior to close of business May 30, 2014. On June 2, 2014, NOW Inc. stock began trading the “regular-way” on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DNOW”.
	Basic earnings per share is based on net income attributable to the Company’s earnings and is calculated based upon the daily weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Also, this calculation includes fully vested stock and unit awards that have not yet been issued as common stock. Diluted EPS includes the above, plus unvested stock, unit or option awards granted and vested unexercised stock options, but only to the extent these instruments dilute earnings per share.
	For comparative purposes, and to provide a more meaningful calculation of weighted-average shares outstanding, the Company has assumed the 107,053,031 shares of common stock of NOW Inc. that was distributed on May 30, 2014 to be outstanding as of the beginning of each period prior to the separation presented in the calculation of weighted-average shares. In addition, the Company has assumed the dilutive securities outstanding at May 30, 2014, were also outstanding for each of the periods prior to the Separation presented.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, 1,233,385 and 2,083,908, respectively, of stock options, RSAs and RSUs were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to their antidilutive effect.
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30				September 30
	(In millions, except share data)	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator for basic and diluted net income per share attributable to the Company’s stockholders:
	Net income attributable to the Company	$	32	$	39	$	100	$	113
	Denominator for basic earnings per share attributable to the Company’s stockholders:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		107,061,639		107,053,031		107,055,932		107,053,031
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Dilutive effect of stock based compensation		563,604		415,837		492,235		415,837
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share attributable to the Company’s stockholders:		107,625,243		107,468,868		107,548,167		107,468,868
	Earnings per share attributable to the Company’s stockholders:
	Basic	$	0.3	$	0.37	$	0.93	$	1.06
	Diluted	$	0.3	$	0.36	$	0.93	$	1.05

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	10. Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company is involved in various claims, regulatory agency audits and pending or threatened legal actions involving a variety of matters. The Company records accruals for estimated losses from these matters when available information indicates that a loss is probable and the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company also assesses the potential for additional losses above the amounts accrued as well as potential losses for matters that are not probable but are reasonably possible. The total potential loss on these pending matters cannot be determined; however, in our opinion, any ultimate liability, to the extent not otherwise recorded or accrued for, will not materially affect our financial position, cash flow or results of operations. These estimated liabilities are based on the Company’s assessment of the nature of these matters, their progress toward resolution, the advice of legal counsel and outside experts as well as management’s intention and experience.
	Our business is affected both directly and indirectly by governmental laws and regulations relating to the oilfield service industry in general, as well as by environmental and safety regulations that specifically apply to our business. Although the Company has not incurred material costs in connection with our compliance with such laws, there can be no assurance that other developments, such as new environmental laws, regulations and enforcement policies hereunder may not result in additional, presently unquantifiable, costs or liabilities to the Company.
	The Company has entered into various agreements with NOV as a result of the Spin-Off, including a Separation and Distribution Agreement (See Note 11), Tax Matters Agreement (See Note 7) and Employee Matters Agreement (See Note 11), which govern various terms of the separation of the Company’s business from NOV’s other businesses.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	11. Related Party Transactions
	Related Party Transactions
	In connection with the Separation, the Company and NOV entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, Tax Matters Agreement, Employee Matters Agreement, and Transition Service Agreement each dated May 29, 2014.
	The Separation and Distribution Agreement contains the key provisions related to the separation from NOV and the distribution of our common stock to NOV shareholders. The Separation and Distribution Agreement separated the assets related to the Company’s business from NOV, along with liabilities related to such assets, which now reside with the Company. In general, the Company agrees to indemnify NOV from liabilities arising from the Company’s business and assets, and NOV agrees to indemnify the Company from liabilities arising from NOV’s business and assets (that remained with NOV), except as otherwise provided in such agreement.
	The Tax Matters Agreement (See Note 7) governs the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of each party with respect to taxes and tax benefits, the filing of tax returns, the control of audits, restrictions to preserve the tax-free status of the Spin-Off and other tax matters.
	The Employee Matters Agreement governs the Company and NOV’s compensation and employee benefit obligations with respect to current and former employees of each company, and generally allocates liabilities and responsibilities relating to employee compensation and benefit plans and programs. Such agreement also provides the adjustment mechanisms to be applied as a result of the Spin-Off to convert outstanding NOV equity awards held by Company employees to Company awards.
	The Transition Service Agreement provides for transitional services in the areas of information technology, tax, accounting, finance and employee benefits and are initially short-term in nature. The charges under these transition service agreements will be at cost-based rates. For the period from May 31 through September 30, 2014, the net amount of less than $1 million incurred by the Company under this agreement was recognized in selling, general and administrative in the consolidated statements of income. No amounts were reflected in the consolidated statements of income prior to May 31, 2014, as the Transition Service Agreement was not effective prior to the Separation.
	Additionally, the Company and NOV entered into a Master Distributor Agreement and a Master Service Agreement, effective as of May 29, 2014. Under the Master Distributor Agreement, the Company will act as a distributor of certain NOV products. Under the Master Service Agreement, the Company will supply products and provide solutions, including supply chain management solutions, to NOV.
	Allocation of General Corporate Expenses
	For the periods prior to the Separation, the consolidated financial statements include expense allocations for certain functions provided by NOV as well as other NOV employees not solely dedicated to NOW, including, but not limited to, general corporate expenses related to finance, legal, information technology, human resources, communications, ethics and compliance, shared services, employee benefits and incentives, and stock-based compensation. These expenses were allocated to NOW on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on the basis of operating profit, headcount or other measures. During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, NOW was allocated $0 million and $3 million, respectively, which is included within selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, NOW was allocated $6 million and $7 million, respectively, of expenses incurred by NOV which is included within selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Allocations from NOV discontinued as of May 30, 2014.
	The expense allocations were determined on a basis that was considered to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided or the benefit received by the Company during the periods presented. The allocations may not reflect the expense the Company would have incurred as an independent, publicly traded company for the periods presented. Actual costs that may have been incurred if the Company had been a stand-alone public company would depend on a number of factors, including the chosen organizational structure, what functions were outsourced or performed by employees and strategic decisions made in areas such as information technology and infrastructure.
	NOV Net Investment
	Prior to the Separation, net contributions from (distributions to) NOV invested equity were included within NOV net investment on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Cash Flows. The components of the change in NOV net investment for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in millions):
		Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep
		2014			2013
	Net contribution from (distributions to) NOV per the consolidated statements of changes in equity	$	143		$	(111	)
	Non-cash adjustments:
	Stock-based compensation		(3	)		—
	Net transfer of assets and liabilities from NOV		(8	)		—
	Less: Net income attributable to NOV net investment prior to the Separation		(58	)		(113	)
	Net contribution from (distributions to) NOV per the consolidated statements of cash flows	$	74		$	(224	)

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	12. Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is foreign currency exchange rate risk. Forward contracts against foreign currencies may be entered into to manage (i) foreign currency exchange rate risk on forecasted revenues and expenses denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the operating unit, (ii) foreign currency exchange rate risk on recognized nonfunctional currency monetary accounts, or (iii) foreign-currency exchange rate risk on unrecognized firm commitments.
	The Company records all derivative financial instruments at their fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. None of the derivative financial instruments that the Company holds are designated as either a fair value hedge or cash flow hedge. For derivative instruments that are non-designated, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument subject to the economically-hedged risk (i.e. unrecognized firm commitments) is recognized in other income in current earnings.
	The Company has entered into forward exchange contracts which have terms of less than a year to economically hedge foreign currency exchange rate risk on recognized nonfunctional currency monetary accounts denominated in pounds sterling and foreign-currency exchange rate risk on unrecognized firm commitments denominated in U.S. Dollars. The purpose of the Company’s foreign currency economic hedging activities are to economically-hedge the Company’s risk from (i) forecasted cash flows associated with nonfunctional currency monetary accounts and (ii) changes in the fair value of a non-functional currency denominated unrecognized firm commitment attributable to changes in the rates between the non-functional currency and the functional currency.
	The Company has determined that the fair value of its derivative financial instruments are determined using level 2 inputs (inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability) in the fair value hierarchy as the fair value is based on publicly available foreign exchange rates at each financial reporting date. At September 30, 2014, the net fair value of the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts totaled a net asset of less than $1 million and is included in prepaid and other current assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	At September 30, 2014, the Company’s financial instruments do not contain any credit-risk-related or other contingent features that could cause accelerated payments when the Company’s financial instruments are in net liability positions. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres1

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
The Separation	'
	The Separation
	On May 1, 2014, the National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (“NOV”) Board of Directors approved the spin-off (the “Spin-Off” or “Separation”) of its distribution business into an independent, publicly traded company named NOW Inc. (“NOW” or the “Company”). In accordance with a separation and distribution agreement, the two companies were separated by NOV distributing to its stockholders all 107,053,031 shares of common stock of the Company after the market closed on May 30, 2014. Each NOV stockholder received one share of NOW common stock for every four shares of NOV common stock held at the close of business on the record date of May 22, 2014 and not sold prior to close of business May 30, 2014. Fractional shares of NOW common stock were not distributed and any fractional shares of NOW common stock otherwise issuable to a NOV stockholder were sold in the open market on such stockholder’s behalf, and such stockholder received a cash payment with respect to that fractional share. In conjunction with the Separation, NOV received an opinion from its legal counsel to the effect that, based on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the distribution of NOW common stock and certain related transactions generally was not taxable to NOV or U.S. holders of NOV common stock, except in respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares, which generally will be taxable to such holders as a capital gain. Following the Separation, NOW is an independent, publicly traded company, and NOV has no ownership interest in NOW. Each company now has separate public ownership, boards of directors and management. A Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, relating to the Spin-Off was filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and was declared effective on May 13, 2014. On June 2, 2014, NOW stock began trading the “regular-way” on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DNOW”.
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	All financial information presented before the Spin-Off represents the combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the Company and all financial information presented after the Spin-Off represents the consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the Company.
		•	The Company’s consolidated statement of income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 consist of the consolidated results of NOW for the period from July 1 through September 30, 2014.
		•	The Company’s consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 consist of the consolidated results of NOW for the period from May 31 through September 30 and the combined results of NOW for the period from January 1, 2014 through May 30, 2014.
		•	The Company’s consolidated balance sheet as at September 30, 2014 is presented on a consolidated basis, whereas the
		•	Company’s consolidated balance sheet as at December 31, 2013 was prepared on a combined basis.
		•	The Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 consist of the consolidated cash flows of NOW for the period from May 31 through September 30 and the combined cash flows of NOW for the period from January 1, 2014 through May 30, 2014.
	The Company’s historical financial statements prior to May 31, 2014 were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of NOV and include assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses directly attributable to the Company’s operations. The assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements have been reflected on a historical cost basis, as immediately prior to the separation all of the assets and liabilities presented were wholly owned by NOV and were transferred within NOV. For the periods prior to the Separation, the consolidated financial statements include expense allocations for certain functions provided by NOV as well as other NOV employees not solely dedicated to NOW, including, but not limited to, general corporate expenses related to finance, legal, information technology, human resources, communications, ethics and compliance, shared services, employee benefits and incentives, and stock-based compensation. These expenses were allocated to NOW on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on the basis of operating profit, headcount or other measures.
	Actual costs that would have been incurred if the Company had been a stand-alone public company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure. The Company’s historical financial statements prior to May 31, 2014 do not reflect the debt or interest costs it might have incurred if it had been a stand-alone entity. In addition, the Company expects to incur other costs, not reflected in its historical financial statements prior to May 31, 2014, as a result of being a separate publicly traded company. As a result, the Company’s historical financial statements prior to May 31, 2014 do not necessarily reflect what its financial position or results of operations would have been if it had been operated as a stand-alone public entity during the periods covered prior to May 31, 2014, and may not be indicative of the Company’s future results of operations and financial position.
	The consolidated financial statements include certain assets and liabilities that had historically been held by NOV but which are specifically identifiable or otherwise allocable to the Company. The cash and cash equivalents held by NOV were not specifically identifiable to NOW and therefore not allocated to it for any of the periods presented prior to the Separation. Cash and equivalents in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets primarily represent cash held locally by entities included in its consolidated financial statements. Transfers of cash prior to the Separation to and from NOV’s cash management system are reflected as a component of NOV net investment within equity on the consolidated balance sheets.
	Prior to the Separation, all significant intercompany transactions between NOW and NOV were considered to be effectively settled for cash at the time the transaction was recorded. The total net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions is reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flow as a financing activity and in the consolidated balance sheet as NOV net investment within equity.
	The unaudited consolidated financial information included in this report has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. The principles for interim financial information do not require the inclusion of all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Company’s most recent Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported and contingent amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximated fair value because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments. Cash equivalents include only those investments having a maturity date of three months or less at the time of purchase. See Note 12 for the fair value of derivative financial instruments.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08 Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which is an update for Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 205 “Presentation of Financial Statements” and Topic No. 360 “Property, Plant and Equipment’. This update changes the requirements of reporting discontinued operations. Under the amended guidance, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The amendments in this update are 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, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this update concerns presentation and disclosure only as it relates to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU No. 2014-08 on its financial position and results of operations. No material changes are expected upon adoption of this ASU.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity using GAAP that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. In addition, the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer (e.g., assets within the scope of Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, and intangible assets within the scope of Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other) are amended to be consistent with the guidance on recognition and measurement (including the constraint on revenue) in this ASU. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The ASU provides two transition methods: (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this ASU recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU No. 2014-09 on its financial position and results of operations.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. A majority of the Company’s international entities in which there is a substantial investment have the local currency as their functional currency. As a result, currency translation adjustments resulting from the process of translating the entities’ financial statements into the reporting currency are reported in Other Comprehensive Income or Loss in accordance with ASC Topic 830 “Foreign Currency Matters” (“ASC Topic 830”).

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment consist of (in millions):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Information technology equipment	$	60		$	27
	Operating equipment		53			57
	Land and buildings		64			60
	Construction in progress		11			19
	Total property, plant and equipment		188			163
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(64	)		(61	)
	Net property, plant and equipment	$	124		$	102

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Summary of Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accrued liabilities consist of (in millions):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Compensation and other related expenses	$	30	$	24
	Customer prepayments		25		18
	Taxes (non income)		27		25
	Other		38		32
	Total	$	120	$	99

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in millions):
		Currency
		Translation
		Adjustments
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	—
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(21	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(21	)

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Summary of Operating Results by Reportable Segment	'
	Operating results by reportable segment are as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30						September 30
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenue:
	United States	$	748		$	732		$	2,114		$	2,187
	Canada		173			191			489			578
	International		149			190			496			490
	Total revenue	$	1,070		$	1,113		$	3,099		$	3,255
	Operating profit:
	United States	$	28		$	36		$	86		$	109
	Canada		14			13			33			35
	International		8			14			36			30
	Total operating profit	$	50		$	63		$	155		$	174
	Operating profit %:
	United States		3.7	%		4.9	%		4.1	%		5	%
	Canada		8.1	%		6.8	%		6.7	%		6.1	%
	International		5.4	%		7.4	%		7.3	%		6.1	%
	Total operating profit %		4.7	%		5.7	%		5	%		5.3	%

Income_Tax_Tables

Income Tax (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Difference Between Effective Tax Rate	'
	The difference between the effective tax rate reflected in the provision for income taxes and the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% was as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30						September 30
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Federal income tax at the U.S. federal statutory rate	$	17		$	21		$	54		$	61
	Foreign income tax rate differential		(1	)		(2	)		(3	)		(4	)
	State income tax, net of federal benefit		1			1			2			2
	Nondeductible expenses/foreign inclusions		1			1			3			5
	Foreign tax credit		(1	)		(1	)		(3	)		(4	)
	Other		—			—			1			1
	Provision for income taxes	$	17		$	20		$	54		$	61

Stockbased_Compensation_and_Ou1

Stock-based Compensation and Outstanding Awards (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	Awards granted under the Plan as a result of the adjustment and substitution of the NOV Plan awards in connection with the Separation and a summary of stock option, RSU and RSA activity for the period from May 30, 2014, to September 30, 2014, are presented in the following table:
		Stock Options			RSUs / RSAs
		Awards			Awards
	Outstanding as of May 30, 2014		3,599,654			1,034,055
	Granted		—			—
	Forfeited		—			—
	Exercised or settled		(4,667	)		—
	Expired or canceled		—			—
	Outstanding as of June 30, 2014		3,594,987			1,034,055
	Granted		—			169,014
	Forfeited		(28,805	)		(6,194	)
	Exercised or settled		(9,613	)		—
	Expired or canceled		—			—
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014		3,556,569			1,196,875

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, 1,233,385 and 2,083,908, respectively, of stock options, RSAs and RSUs were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to their antidilutive effect.
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30				September 30
	(In millions, except share data)	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator for basic and diluted net income per share attributable to the Company’s stockholders:
	Net income attributable to the Company	$	32	$	39	$	100	$	113
	Denominator for basic earnings per share attributable to the Company’s stockholders:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		107,061,639		107,053,031		107,055,932		107,053,031
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Dilutive effect of stock based compensation		563,604		415,837		492,235		415,837
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share attributable to the Company’s stockholders:		107,625,243		107,468,868		107,548,167		107,468,868
	Earnings per share attributable to the Company’s stockholders:
	Basic	$	0.3	$	0.37	$	0.93	$	1.06
	Diluted	$	0.3	$	0.36	$	0.93	$	1.05

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Components of Changes in NOV Net Investment	'
	The components of the change in NOV net investment for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in millions):
		Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep
		2014			2013
	Net contribution from (distributions to) NOV per the consolidated statements of changes in equity	$	143		$	(111	)
	Non-cash adjustments:
	Stock-based compensation		(3	)		—
	Net transfer of assets and liabilities from NOV		(8	)		—
	Less: Net income attributable to NOV net investment prior to the Separation		(58	)		(113	)
	Net contribution from (distributions to) NOV per the consolidated statements of cash flows	$	74		$	(224	)

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres2

Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2014	30-May-14	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
				Separation [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Organization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Spin-off description	'	'	'	'In accordance with a separation and distribution agreement, the two companies were separated by NOV distributing to its stockholders all 107,053,031 shares of common stock of the Company after the market closed on May 30, 2014. Each NOV stockholder received one share of NOW common stock for every four shares of NOV common stock held at the close of business on the record date of May 22, 2014 and not sold prior to close of business May 30, 2014.
Common stock, shares outstanding	107,067,457	107,053,031	107,067,457	107,053,031
Ratio of common stock sharing	'	'	'	4

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_S

Property, Plant and Equipment - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	$188	$163
Less: accumulated depreciation	-64	-61
Net property, plant and equipment	124	102
Information Technology Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	60	27
Operating Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	53	57
Land and Buildings [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	64	60
Construction in Progress [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	$11	$19

Accrued_Liabilities_Summary_of

Accrued Liabilities - Summary of Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Compensation and other related expenses	$30	$24
Customer prepayments	25	18
Taxes (non income)	27	25
Other	38	32
Total	$120	$99

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Term of loan	'5 years
Agreement date	18-Apr-14
Aggregate loan amount	$750,000,000
Sub-facility for letter of credit	150,000,000
Sub-facility for swing line loans	50,000,000
Increase in aggregate principal amount	250,000,000
Maximum capitalization ratio	50.00%
Minimum interest coverage ratio	3.00%
Minimum [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Annual commitment fee range	0.25%
Maximum [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Annual commitment fee range	0.35%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Line of credit facility borrowings	0
Letter of credit outstanding amount	$2,000,000
Letter of Credit [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Line of credit facility expiration date	30-May-15
Federal Funds Rate [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Base rate	0.50%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Base rate	1.00%

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Summary of Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning balance	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-21
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending balance	($21)

Business_Segments_Summary_of_O

Business Segments - Summary of Operating Results by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	$1,070	$1,113	$3,099	$3,255
Operating profit:	'	'	'	'
Total operating profit	50	63	155	174
Operating profit %:	'	'	'	'
Total operating profit %	4.70%	5.70%	5.00%	5.30%
United States (Member)	'	'	'	'
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	748	732	2,114	2,187
Operating profit:	'	'	'	'
Total operating profit	28	36	86	109
Operating profit %:	'	'	'	'
Total operating profit %	3.70%	4.90%	4.10%	5.00%
Canada (Member)	'	'	'	'
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	173	191	489	578
Operating profit:	'	'	'	'
Total operating profit	14	13	33	35
Operating profit %:	'	'	'	'
Total operating profit %	8.10%	6.80%	6.70%	6.10%
International [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	149	190	496	490
Operating profit:	'	'	'	'
Total operating profit	$8	$14	$36	$30
Operating profit %:	'	'	'	'
Total operating profit %	5.40%	7.40%	7.30%	6.10%

Income_Tax_Additional_Informat

Income Tax - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Date of Tax Matters Agreement	'	'	29-May-14	'
Effective tax rate	34.70%	33.90%	35.30%	35.00%
U.S. federal statutory rate	'	'	35.00%	'

Income_Tax_Difference_Between_

Income Tax - Difference Between Effective Tax Rate (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Federal income tax at the U.S. federal statutory rate	$17	$21	$54	$61
Foreign income tax rate differential	-1	-2	-3	-4
State income tax, net of federal benefit	1	1	2	2
Nondeductible expenses/foreign inclusions	1	1	3	5
Foreign tax credit	-1	-1	-3	-4
Other	'	'	1	1
Provision for income taxes	$17	$20	$54	$61

Stockbased_Compensation_and_Ou2

Stock-based Compensation and Outstanding Awards - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	$5	$2	$10	$5
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation costs	26	'	26	'
Expected to be recognized over a weighted average period	'	'	'2 years 8 months 12 days	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation costs	$15	'	$15	'
Expected to be recognized over a weighted average period	'	'	'1 year 10 months 24 days	'

Stockbased_Compensation_and_Ou3

Stock-based Compensation and Outstanding Awards - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Awards, Outstanding, Beginning balance	1,034,055	1,034,055
Awards, Granted	'	169,014
Awards, Forfeited	'	-6,194
Awards, Exercised or settled	'	'
Awards, Expired or canceled	'	'
Awards, Outstanding, Ending balance	1,034,055	1,196,875
Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Options, Outstanding, Beginning balance	3,599,654	3,594,987
Options, Granted	'	'
Options, Forfeited	'	-28,805
Options, Exercised or settled	-4,667	-9,613
Awards, Expired or canceled	'	'
Options, Outstanding, Ending balance	3,594,987	3,556,569

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2014	30-May-14	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
				Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Separation [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	107,067,457	107,053,031	107,067,457	'	'	'	'	107,053,031
Spin-Off of shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4
Antidilutive Securities excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	1,233,385	1,233,385	2,083,908	2,083,908	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator for basic and diluted net income per share attributable to the Company's stockholders:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to the Company	$32	$17	$41	$39	$100	$113
Denominator for basic earnings per share attributable to the Company's stockholders:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average common shares outstanding	107,061,639	'	'	107,053,031	107,055,932	107,053,031
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dilutive effect of stock based compensation	563,604	'	'	415,837	492,235	415,837
Denominator for diluted earnings per share attributable to the Company's stockholders:	107,625,243	'	'	107,468,868	107,548,167	107,468,868
Basic	$0.30	'	'	$0.37	$0.93	$1.06
Diluted	$0.30	'	'	$0.36	$0.93	$1.05

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		4 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
					Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Other Related Party Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Other operating expenses	'	'	'	'	$1
Selling general and administration expenses	$0	$3	$6	$7	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Sch

Related Party Transactions - Schedule of Components of Changes in NOV Net Investment (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Abstract]	'	'
Net contribution from (distributions to) NOV per the consolidated statements of changes in equity	$143	($111)
Non-cash adjustments:	'	'
Stock-based compensation	-3	'
Net transfer of assets and liabilities from NOV	-8	'
Less: Net income attributable to NOV net investment prior to the Separation	-58	-113
Net contribution from (distributions to) NOV per the consolidated statements of cash flows	$74	($224)

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (Forward Contracts [Member], Maximum [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Forward Contracts [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'
Foreign currency forward contracts	$1