XML 64 R42.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.8

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Gains from Legal Settlement, Net	$ 102		$ 102
Revenue from shipyard customer	9.00%	9.00%	10.00%	10.00%

X

- Definition

Revenue from shipyard customer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nov_RevenueFromCustomer
Namespace Prefix:	nov_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Cash received for the settlement of litigation during the current period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration